Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men.

Discoveries

Chapter 15

Silence filled the room instantly as everyone's minds returned to the battle. Mikey stepped away from his father and reported. "About a half an hour ago everything stopped. Your dad---"he paused and looked at the younger Cyclops. "Your dad ordered everyone to the med lab. He said the Brotherhood just seemed to stop and retreat. It's been quiet since then."

Thomas closed his eyes and reached out for his father. Dad?

Thomas, Thank God. Where are you?

I'm in the danger room with the others. Are you hurt?

No, son, not really but there are a lot of injuries.

Dad, you need to get in here. I have something to show you. It's an emergency. Thomas left him no room for doubt.

In a matter of moments the door slid opened and Cyclops limped into the room. "Thomas, what's so impor---." He stopped when his eyes fell on the X Men. He blinked and rubbed his eyes in disbelief as his son approached him.

"Dad, you're not hallucinating." He closed his eyes and sent all the information to his father. He knew it would be quicker than trying to explain it.

"You really---?" He froze as a younger Jean walked up to him.

She smiled and pushed back his hair with her fingertips. "Scott," she whispered, "You have the most beautiful eyes."

Thomas turned to see his younger father move to her side and look at him. "About 15 years ago, Uncle Hank and Aunt Evie found a way to correct the damage to your brain. You haven't worn the visor since then." He smiled as he watched his mother hug her husband.

Older Scott scanned the room and saw all the faces he just left in the med lab. "This is going to be hard to explain."

Thomas silently called to his aunt and turned as she approached him. "This is going to be even harder," he told his father.

With a gasp, Scott almost stumbled as he looked at a woman he hadn't seen in 17 years. "Shalimar?" he whispered. He reached a shaky hand toward her afraid she would disappear if he touched her.

Slowly she took his hand and smiled at him. "Hi, Scott."

When she spoke he pulled her into a hug and looked at his son.

"I went back to before their wedding. She's not infected yet."

"Brennan? Shawna?"

He watched her step to her mother's side. "We've met," she smiled at him.

"We just can't walk into the lab with all these people; especially Shalimar. Give them a blanket send to let them know first."

"I'll tell, Gramps. He'll know how to handle it." He watched as his father's face turned down. "What happened, Dad?" His voice took on a sudden panic as all the teens gathered around him.

"Your gramps is unconscious. He took a hit that he couldn't block. I'm not sure of his condition. In fact," he turned to the X Men, "most of you are wounded to some degree."

"Thomas, I have to get in there. I can help." Evie stepped to the front of her group.

"All right, I'll do it but it will have to be brief. They'll still be shocked when you walk in. Chrissy, come help me." He reached for his sister's hand and they both closed their eyes.

Everyone, please listen to me. He could sense their quieting and attention. If you remember, we found a time travel device that Gramps told us to destroy. We didn't do it. It's been hidden for all this time. During the attack we, younger X Men, decided that it was necessary to use it. I traveled back in time to get help. Gramps of the past, agreed and sent his X Men to help us. We will be coming into the med lab in a moment. Most of you will see your younger selves. Please try to understand. This was the only way. --- There is one other thing. Please prepare yourselves. I went back to before Uncle Brennan's wedding. --- Aunt Shalimar is here. Thomas and Chrissy both fell to their knees in pain when they were hit with the shock that was projected back at them. Both Scotts immediately helped them to their feet. "I told them all I could. The shock about Aunt Shal, came back and hit us pretty hard." He turned to his aunt. "You had better go in last."

She agreed and in a matter of moments they were in front of the lab door. The teens entered first and immediately went to their parents' sides. The volume in the room jumped as concern and question and relief was circulated. Scott and Thomas walked in ahead of their visitors. An eerie stillness arose as unsure and shocked eyes met across the room.

Young Evie moved forward and saw all the injured. They were just older versions of her family and friends. As she scanned the group she saw herself holding the hand of a man she knew quite intimately. Adam was unconscious. Panic began to set in. "Thomas. Thomas, where is she? Where's Nadene?"

He moved quickly guiding her through the maze of beds until they reached the far end. "Here, she is."

Evie was stunned to see the beauty lying so still on the bed in front of her. "My baby," she whispered. She reached out a shaky hand to check her pulse. Relieved to find one, she looked back through the crowd. "Hank, hurry."

Both Hanks moved to her side. "Did you bring the serum I created?" asked the elder.

"Yes, I have it here," responded the younger.

Evie looked up again. "Shalimar," Evie called to her.

All eyes widened as they saw the younger group part and a beautiful blonde, they only had in their memories, emerge.

Brennan walked slowly with her. She smiled but was extremely uncomfortable being the center of such concentrated attention. Knowing that her blood was needed immediately she headed for Hank but scanned the group knowing she needed to find him. She could feel his eyes on her. She knew her Brennan was close but the intensity she was feeling from the other almost caused her to flee. She fought hard against her feral side feeling trapped and screaming for escape.

Brennan couldn't believe it. His heart was beating so wildly in his chest that he thought it would break through. His daughter was by his side but all his focus was on the dream he thought for sure he was having. He dared not breathe for fear she would once again become just part of his distant memory. He watched as she walked through the room and turned her head from person to person. He was far in the back and almost hidden. He hadn't seen her eyes yet. Shakily, he let himself but breathe her name.

Suddenly she turned, hearing it and looked directly at him. For a long moment they were perfectly still as she allowed him to realize that she was once again there. She never flinched as Hank came up to her and withdrew the blood he needed to mix with the serum. When he was done she turned and looked to her Brennan. Seeing him nod his approval she slowly crossed the room to where the older version of her fiancé sat. She stopped and stood just in front of him. "Brennan," she whispered.

He couldn't hold back any more. Shock gave way to uncontrollable tears as he pulled her into his arms and just cried into her hair. "Shal, Baby, I can't believe it." Shawna just smiled as she touched his shoulder. Her younger father moved closer, stood beside his daughter and shuddered at the thought of how this man must have felt at the loss of his wife.

Hank, the younger, checked the scans. "Is it the same as when she was an infant?"

"Yes, but a little more progressive. I wasn't able to do anything about it, without Shalimar's blood. The samples Adam had at Sanctuary were destroyed." Hank, the elder, watched hopefully as his younger self worked to recreate the serum to inject.

When it was done and ready for injection a battle worn and weary Evie approached her younger self as they stood at their daughter's side. They watched and prayed as Hank administered the shot. Everyone in the room was quietly waiting for any sign of recovery from their young friend. All were injured. All had reason to worry but none seemed as close to death or in need of concern as Nadene at that moment.

In a matter of minutes Nadene's eyes began to flutter. "Mama?" Evie cried as she embraced her daughter and a teary eyed younger version moved back to stand with her friend as he prepared to take another blood sample.

"Thomas," Nadene whispered.

"I'm here, love." He moved closer to her and took her hand. He helped her as she tried to sit up. "I have a lot to explain to you. Please don't panic. Look into my eyes." As he saw her lovingly comply with his request he sent to her all of his experiences over the last day and a half. Their communication was complete and quick since they were both very strong telepaths.

Hank took the sample and quickly moved away from her. He smiled to her young mother as he was satisfied at the results. Both Evie's were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Nadene blinked and looked around to see everyone around her. They were all smiling as best they could back at her. "This is so strange." As she looked around she notice in a bed to her side was her unconscious father. "Daddy," she panicked and rushed to his side. "Mom, what's wrong?"

Her mother just moved closer to her. "Nothing is wrong, dear. All the wounded just arrived. I haven't been able to get to anyone yet. We've only had enough time for triage." She laid her hands on his chest and began her healing. After a few moments she stopped. "I'm still too weak from trying to heal you. I was able to give him a little more strength but I have to rest before I can do anymore."

Nadene gasped and moved into Thomas's arms as she saw her younger mom approach.

"Will you allow me to help? Please," Evie begged and looked at her older self. When she saw a nod of acceptance she lovingly placed her hands on Adam's chest and began the process. Within a matter of moments Adam began to stir. When he opened his eyes he blinked then put his hands up and rubbed his eyes to clear what he thought was double vision. When he looked again he only saw his wife. "Evie, Nadene, how is she?"

"I'm right here, Daddy." She hugged him as he sat up.

"Thank God, but---how?" He looked at his daughter as he felt her explain in his mind. Quickly he turned and saw his younger wife standing in tears by both Hanks. Suddenly remembering someone else he scanned the room and among all the double images that met him he found a solitary face.

Brennan had been able to regain control of his emotions and released Shalimar. She walked over to Adam and allowed him to embrace her almost as passionately as Brennan had. "Shalimar, I'm so sorry. I never had the chance to tell you."

"I'm here now. We'll do everything we can to prevent that part of your history." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

Everyone began speaking at once as the initial shock had begun to wear off and each group got more comfortable with the other. The elder Cyclops moved to the center of the room and got everyone's attention. "I want all the well and recovered in the war room at once. The rest of you report as soon as you are released from here. We still have to prepare our next move."

Both Hanks, both Jeans and both Evies remained as doctors to speed the healing process. By 2024 they had many devices that healed broken bones and damaged tissue almost instantaneously. The elders gave their juniors a quick lesson and the medical staff was doubled. Both Evies used their powers to help with the process but had to be careful not to over do it and tire out. Nadene had limited healing abilities though not as strong as her mother's. She easily tended to and released the more minor injured.

In short time everyone, but the professor, was seated in the war room as they tried to decide what to do next. "I don't believe for a minute that the Brotherhood is through. They couldn't have not realized what kind of shape we were in," Cyclops reported.

"Maybe we hurt dem worse den we tink," a battle worn Gambit offered.

"I think they just went to regroup and make ready for the final blow." Logan sat rubbing his knuckles. "They're gonna come back and when they do, they're gonna hit us hard."

"Even Ah can't handle much more. What are we gonna do?" Rogue turned as Gambit took her hand.

"We hit back harder." A strong voice from the rear of the room caused everyone to turn. The young confident leader of the X Men stood and moved to join his older self in a place he was more accustomed to. "That's why we're here. They pulled back to let you regroup so they can make the kill more challenging. We just turn the tables on them. Confuse the Hell out of them when they start seeing double."

"No," came a contradiction from the back of the room and as everyone turned they saw the professor steering his chair to the front. "This is too dangerous. The younger X Men must return to their own time."

TBC for the last time.

Yes, it's true. Only one chapter remains. I'm crying already but as the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end."