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

Discoveries

Chapter 18

Within minutes Cyclops could see Mikey and Hannah defending their post as Jimmy and Bryan were trying to finish work on the defense system. All work stopped as 6 more mutants stepped up to take the place of the four who the twins easily put down.

While the teens fought, others came in from all angles. Staying carefully hidden the X Men watched and waited for their trap to be sprung. "Jimmy, enough." He heard his leader's voice over the communicator on his suit. "Fall back. Run into the main entrance." Cyclops' orders were immediately carried out as everyone saw them pull back. Once they were past the doors, the trap was loaded. They watched as mutants came from every angle to question the lack of resistance. They saw mutants walking seemingly aimlessly over the grounds closest to the buildings. Thanks to the psionic suggestion, they all thought they were walking around different parts of the mansion, none the wiser of the trap. Cyclops gathered reports from all teams and Adam in the war room. When it was decided that the majority of their forces were in or close to the trap he sent word to Jesse and Gambit to sweep the area and take them all down.

The power needed to generate and maintain the illusion was indeed immense. When word was given for them to stop, all passed out from the exertion.

Small battles still raged all around the mansion. There were intruders engaged on all sides and even a few who managed to get into the real mansion and engage the guard set in the hall. Jimmy, Bryan and the twins were there ready to back up the youngest who were given that duty. Fighting was intense at times but all seemed to be able to work well together. In actual battle when everyone was running on adrenaline, it seemed that as one Bobby fought, the other was an extension of him. Logan delivered the 'one' punch as the other Logan finished with the 'two' punch. All seemed almost choreographed and rehearsed.

After about an hour more of destruction to the property all teams reported in. All, except the telepaths. Everyone rushed to the Library and found the entire group unconscious. Both Hanks and Adam moved from person to person.

As they were checked a guard was posted to keep the premise secure from any further intrusion.

When the word was given the telepaths were moved to the med lab. Each Scott carried his wife. Both Logan's carried the professor. Adam carried his wife as the younger Brennan moved in and carried her younger version. Older Brennan carried Nadene as Shalimar stayed close by. Jesse and Remy each took one of the Summers kids. After everyone was back in the lab it was determined that the psionics were in a state of recovery from the overload of the mission. Both Hanks agreed that in time they would all awaken. Everyone else's minor injuries were tended to and clean up began. The younger X Men could not return without Jean and Evie so their visit to the future would have to be extended.

As the well and recovered waited they wandered casually about the war level. Shalimar and Shawna spoke with both Brennans briefly until she saw both Logans walk in with their family. She excused herself and walked over to the men.

They both smiled at her and turned as she approached. "It's almost over, Darlin'. I'd imaging you're feeling a bit trapped out of your own time. We'll be goin' home soon." The younger smiled as he put his arm over her shoulder.

"I'm feeling it but I'll be ok." She turned and glared at her older friend. "I'm not a weak runt. I think I can handle a little discomfort." Logan looked on questioningly as he watched his older self and Shalimar do battle with their eyes. Feeling the tension build he slowly moved his arm from around her.

Breaking eye contact with Shalimar he looked over her shoulder at a very nervous young girl staring back at him. He smiled at her. "She told you, did she?" Then he turned back to her mother. "Did it bring back memories of our first fight?"

She turned to her Logan and smiled as he finally understood what they were talking about. "Yeah, plenty of memories." She watched as he smiled in agreement.

"After it was all over, I told her the truth. I told her how much you loved your man and what an incredible woman you are." Shalimar reached and hugged him. It had been 17 years since he had held his friend. She felt the protectiveness in his arms. "Thank you for being there for her."

"I would never let you down, darlin'. You know that."

Charles was the first to wake and was informed of the success of the mission.

Nadene awoke and when she saw Thomas in a bed next to her moved to his side. She was assured he would wake and be fine so she sat next to him and waited with his hand in hers.

Adam sat between his wives. He repeatedly looked from one to the other and relived his memories of life with this extraordinary woman.

When it was reported that everyone was beginning to wake, both teams and the teens all regrouped in the med lab.

Scott hugged his daughter as she sat up and was joined by her friends.

Both Jeans soon awoke to see a room full of double images looking back at them.

"Dene," Thomas whispered as he began to wake.

"I'm right here, sweetie." Nadene helped him to sit and smiled as he secured his arm around her.

All eyes now moved to the Evies who had not yet stirred. Adam's face began to crease with concern when they still didn't wake. A sigh of relief was heard through out the room when the younger Evie began to turn her head. She woke up with a start as she called to her husband.

Adam looked at the younger Brennan and Jesse and cautiously moved to her side. "Evie," he soothed her, "it's ok."

She opened her eyes and looked at the man in front of her. Suddenly realizing that her Adam wasn't there she smiled apologetically she looked away from him as his attention was drawn to his wife who was beginning to wake. The younger Jean could feel the conflict in her friend and moved to her side. "Don't worry," she whispered. "We'll be home soon. Then he'll be yours again."

"Now that everyone is back to a somewhat normal state, I believe it would be in the best interest of all if the younger X Men return to their own time." Charles looked around the room from face to face. He stopped when he saw Brennan staring with fear at Shalimar. "Brennan," he called to him softly. "She must go back. I'm truly sorry."

Bren moved closer to him. "I'll take care of it," he stated. "Don't' worry."

Brennan just turned and held his daughter as they tried to be strong for each other.

All the groups gathered in the danger room and the teams began their goodbyes. As Mikey prepared the machine, Logan walked up to him. "So you're not all brawn like your old man. I'm glad to see that you got your mother's smarts."

"Don't sell yourself short, Pop. Over the years you taught me some amazing things." Mikey smiled as his younger father pat his back.

"Pop, huh? I think I like that. See you in about 20 years, kid."

"Your attention, please," Charles called out. "Scott, I am grateful to your team for helping us. This is indeed a strange situation. You all have knowledge of the future now. It will be up to you what you do with that knowledge. I caution you to be prudent. Weigh carefully the results of your actions. This time will undoubtedly be different because of that foreknowledge. Be sure to use your knowledge to better yourselves and protect your families. Know that even in this time line I am very proud of all you've accomplished. Your children are fine, respectable people who have their parents to thank for the world they will inherit. I would only that my family live safely and happily doing the best they can at whatever they do."

"Thank you, Professor." Scott stepped forward for his group and shook the man's hand. "We will do all we can to prevent the danger to the mansion."

The younger group exchanged a last look of farewell to their older selves as they heard the professor give the order to engage the machine. Shalimar locked eyes with a very weary Brennan. When she blinked he was gone.

Suddenly they were alone in the danger room. "Jean?" Scott questioned her.

"I think we're home," she said as she reached out to the professor.

Evie reached out to her husband and turned to see him in the control booth. She called out to him. "Adam, how long have we been gone?"

"You disappeared about 5 minutes ago. Is everyone alright?" He carefully surveyed the group.

Everyone met the professor in the Library and spent the next hour relaying all that happened to them and all the things they saw. Charles was amazed at the events described and filed information he hoped would be helpful in his future. "Well, this certainly has been an enlightening experience. When the events begin to play out we will just have to endeavor to correct our actions in order that we do not relive the events you've witnessed."

"And I know the first thing we're going to change." Brennan smiled as everyone turned to him. He pulled Shalimar into his arms and held her close. "We are definitely not going to Hawaii for our honeymoon."

Amens and all other forms of agreement were strongly stated as everyone looked at their lovely blonde friend. Jean looked at Evie and both women stood up. "Well, here's hoping luck works in reverse for us. You four, have seen way too much of each other this day." She moved to gently pull Kitty from Jesse's arms as Evie did the same to Shalimar. Both men frowned and began to groan their disappointments until Jean held her hand up decisively. "Get your last look now, boys. You won't see them again until they walk down those steps." They were ushered out as all the girls fell in step behind them.

Evie returned to her room and found Adam sitting by the cradle and gazing at his newborn daughter. "She will be a beautiful girl."

Adam smiled and stood to embrace his wife. "I wouldn't expect anything else. Look at her mother."

"As I began to wake up in the med lab, I called for you. Your older self answered me but was hesitant. Then his wife awoke and he rushed to her side and held her. I know it was right but I got a little jealous. I couldn't wait to get back to you. I love you so much. It's nice to know that it's the same in the future."

"It's not the same." Adam saw her looked to him and frown. "I love you more and more with each passing day." He held her tightly against him and kissed her.

tbc