Father And Son Reunion

"Come on!" Brian called out to Jean as they flew in the skies. "He couldn't have driven that far!"

"Hey, I'm flying as fast as I can!" Jean told him. She contacted Scott with her telepathy. No sign of Proteus yet, Cyclops. Has the Professor found any trace of him yet?

Yeah he had a blip about three minutes ago Scott replied via their telepathic link. But it was so fast he couldn't get a clear reading. Proteus is getting much better controlling his powers with every jump.

"Down there!" Brian pointed to a huge traffic accident. "Isn't that the car Proteus drove off in?"

"I think we just found him," Jean said as they flew down. Everyone! Quick get to Route I-47!

Most of the team raced to the scene of the accident. Several people were killed and injured. Bobby put out the flames in one truck while the others assisted helping the injured escape the cars they were trapped in. Moira helped in treating the injured. "He knew this would happen," Scott fumed after they had rescued all the people they could. "He created this accident on purpose to slow us down!"

"What a slimeball," Kitty fumed. "How can he like even be related to Moira? She's so nice."

"He wasn't always like this," Moira sighed as she walked up to them. "Before his powers emerged…He had a temper but nothing like…"

"I'm sorry," Kitty said.

"Don't be," Moira sighed. "You're completely right about the subject. We have to stop Kevin before he kills again. Whatever it takes."

"You know we may have to…" John stopped when he saw the look in Moira's eyes.

"Whatever it takes Thunderbird," She told him. "Where's Charles?"

"Charles has gone back to the Blackbird to use the portable Cerebro," John explained. "Maybe he can pick up Proteus' trail. X23 and Wolverine went with him. They're still pretty spooked."

"Can't say I blame 'em," Kitty shuddered.

"It's even worse for them," Jean explained. "Those two have feral instincts. When Proteus completely destroyed all sense of reality it sent those instincts into haywire. They couldn't rely on their usual strengths and it frightened them."

"Yeah Proteus doesn't exactly play fair," John grunted. "He doesn't care who he hurts as long as he gets his kicks. Its mutants like that that give the rest of us a bad name."

"There's another body back there," Thomas ran up to them. "Another decomposed corpse. He must have made another jump."

"Wonderful," Scott took a breath. "Maybe he's still in the area waiting to fight us again?"

"Or maybe he's long gone by now," Jean sighed. "Although from what the Professor told us he could be standing right next to us and we'd never know it."

"I thought this Xavier guy could just find him by reading minds or something?" Thomas asked.

"Not in Proteus' case," Jean said. "He's gotten extremely well at shielding himself."

"Yeah for somebody who's supposed to have trouble controlling his powers he sure can fake it," Bobby grunted.

"Perhaps we should call in reinforcements?" Peter asked.

"I'm not involving any more X-Men in this," Scott sighed. "Not that it would do much good seeing how far away the others are back home. And the ones on Muir Island are needed and they're the least trained on the team. It would be too risky."

"Yeah plus the Misfits are too busy doing what they're doing to just call up and have them teleport here," Kitty said. "What about SHEILD? Or STRIKE?"

"I'll send in a call for more STRIKE agents," Thomas said. "And maybe SHEILD if I can, but I don't know what good that will do."

"He's right," Scott said. "Moira you said that Proteus' weaknesses are metal and Jono's energy?"

"Yes," She nodded. "Jono's body contains very similar energy to his. When they connect it causes a painful reaction."

"Like two electric currents converging at the same time," Jono told them.

"So we've got some defense," Scott sighed. "We need to call back Wolverine and X23. Their adamantium skeleton and claws should be useful."

"If they can handle it," John said. "They looked pretty freaked to me."

"We're all freaked out Thunderbird," Scott told him. "This guy makes Apocalypse look like a third grade bully, but we have to stop him."

"He's right," They turned around and saw Logan walking up to them. Rina was behind them. Both had determined looks on their faces. "Charles is still on Cerebro. Sorry we missed the party."

"Are you okay?" Kitty asked gently.

"No," Rina breathed out. "I'm not…accustomed to such fear. But I will continue."

"Same here kid," Logan grunted. "But like Cyclops said we gotta stop him. We're the only ones who can along with Chamber and Colossus."

"Look it's pretty obvious where this maniac is going," Thomas said. "He's after his old man. We need to get to him first before he does."

"And when he shows up we get him," Jono nodded.

"One good thing about this is that I'm pretty sure Kevin doesn't know where his father lives," Moira sighed. "But I do."

"Couldn't he have just read your mind to find out?" Thomas asked.

"No thanks to years of working with Charles I've learned to keep my thoughts guarded from telepaths," Moira said. "Plus when Legion attacked I managed to grab this and put it on," She pointed to her necklace. "It blocks telepathic signals."

"Well that's clever," Thomas said. "So where is he? That town Logan mentioned? What was it again?"

"It doesn't matter because he's not there anyway," Moira sighed. "He and his second wife are probably on vacation in the mountains since Parliament in on recess."

"Parliament?" Thomas asked. "Wait, you talking about the Labour Party's Joe MacTaggert?"

"The very one," Moira sighed. "I hoped I'd never have to see him again but now I have no choice."

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"You didn't have to come, Sergeant," Moira sighed as they drove up to her former husband's house. The mutants were preparing for the attack and were calling in some reinforcements from Muir Island. They agreed to let Moira go first and warn her husband.

"Look I said I'd make sure you were safe and that's the end of it," Thomas told her. "At least we know your son ain't interested in you."

"No but I fear what would happen if he ever did find out about Joe and what kind of man he is," Moira sighed.

"And that is?" Thomas asked.

"Let's just say he'd be a better man if he paid more attention to his inner self than his image," Moira grunted. "Although there isn't that much to work with."

"Well you're obviously not bitter," Thomas said sarcastically. They pulled into the driveway of a huge house. "Whoo…Look at this place. Pretty swank."

"Let me talk to him alone first," Moira said as they went to the door.

"All right but I'm gonna need a word with him," Thomas told her.

A petite blond woman answered the door. "Can I help you," She asked in a cultured Scottish accent. She looked at Moira. "You're Moira aren't you?"

"Yes and you must be Amelia," Moira acknowledged her ex-husband's second wife. "This is Sergeant Thomas. We need to speak to my…to Joe."

"It's very important ma'am," Thomas took off his hat.

"Of course," Amelia said. "Come in." She let them in. "Joseph is upstairs in his study. I'll show you the way."

A small boy ran into the room. "Mummy! I want a cheese sandwich now! You promised!"

"Of course darling, I just have to show these guests to see your father," Amelia told him.

"Hello there laddie," Thomas bent down. "I'm Sergeant Thomas. And who might you be?"

"I'm Colin MacTaggert, I'm six years old and you'd better be nice to me or my daddy will have your job," The boy said.

"Precocious little lad isn't he?" Thomas managed a strained grin.

"I'll make you your sandwich as soon as I show the nice lady to meet your father," Amelia told her son. Looking at Thomas she asked. "Would you mind watching him?"

"Not at all," Thomas waved. "We'll get along fine, eh Thomas?"

"You talk funny," Colin said.

"Sgt. Thomas is Welsh dear," Amelia said. "I'll show you the way." They both left the room.

"Well Colin," Thomas grinned. "I suppose you and your Dad are best pals eh?"

"My Daddy gets me anything I want," Colin told him. "Because I'm his most favorite person in the whole wide world."

"Really?" Thomas managed another strained grin. "That's nice to know."

"My Daddy says that I'm gonna grow up and be famous like him," Colin said. "And not be like the other losers and freaks of the world."

"Oh really…" The urge to strangle the boy was growing rapidly. "And what kind of freaks was he talking about?"

"Muties, Americans, the British, Irish and the Welsh," Colin said casually. "He doesn't like Canadians either. I want candy and you'd better give me some."

"Really?" Thomas's blood was boiling right now. "You're a charming child you know that?"

Things were not going well in the study as well. "I can't believe you had the nerve to show up here!" Joe MacTaggert snarled. "Much less bring up Kevin."

"Believe me I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important," Moira was struggling to keep her temper. "But there's something you need to know…"

"The only thing I would ever want to know about Kevin is the news that he's not really mine, but since he is that's not going to happen is it? Why do you have to bother me with this now Moira? Especially in an election year? I had enough trouble with the voters when they found out I was divorced," He snapped at her. "If they ever found out that I have a freak for an offspring…"

"That freak is your son," Moira snarled. "Maybe if you were a bit more supportive…"

"What's there to support?" He snapped. "He's a mutant Moira! For the last time I'm not flying all the way to that godforsaken island to look at the freak show!"

"You never cared about anyone but yourself did you?" Moira shouted. "The only reason you married me was for my status as a woman of means as well as my position as a respected scientist!"

"Respected scientist? What a joke!" He snorted. "You're just as much as a nut job as those freaks you take care of! I'd never have married you if I knew what kind of woman you were!"

"Likewise," Moira glared at him. "I've got only one thing to say Joe, Kevin is loose and he's looking for you."

"Loose?" Joe gasped. "What do you mean loose? I thought you locked that thing up?"

"His stasis chamber broke when Muir Island was attacked," Moira told him. "It's not like I just let him out for a walk you know?"

"Why the hell is he after me?" Joe shouted.

"Because for some daft reason he thinks you're a decent man and a loving father," Moira snapped. "Maybe I shouldn't have fostered that illusion when he was young. Maybe I should have done what other ex-wives do and turn him against you which is what's going to happen if he gets even a few feet near you!"

"What does that mean?"

"He's telepathic moron!" Moira told him. "He can read minds like a book and unlike Xavier he's got no qualms about doing so. One look into your diseased mind and he's going to learn how you abandoned him all those years ago!"

"You warned me Moira," He snapped. "Your conscience is clear. Now you get out before I…" That's when Sgt. Thomas walked in. "Who the hell are you?"

"You're a regular pleasant bloke aren't ya?" Thomas growled. "Can't believe I volunteered to protect you."

"Sgt. Thomas I can handle this," Moira sighed.

"You! You're one of those bloody STRIKE agents right? I need you to protect me from that freak that calls himself my son!" Joe snapped.

"He is your son!" Moira snapped. "Where else would he get his temper?"

"Aye…" Thomas' eyes started to shine. "But right now I wish I wasn't…Hello Father."

"Oh god no…" Moira gasped. "Kevin…"

"What's the matter Daddy?" Kevin asked sarcastically as Thomas' physical form disintegrated slowly in front of them. "No welcome for your long lost son?"

"Stay away from me you freak!" Joe screamed as he backed away.

"So it was true…" Kevin hissed. "All these years I thought it was her keeping me away from you when it was really the other way around! Don't bother to deny it! I can see your thoughts as clear as day! Everything including what you did to her the night I was conceived! How the hell could I have been so bloody stupid?"

 Kevin hissed.

"Keep away from me you monster!" Joe shouted as Kevin advanced.

"Like father like son," Kevin said as he placed his decaying hands on Joe's face. "But we're going to bond Father whether you like it or not!"

"KEVIN!" Moira screamed. "NO!"

"Joe what's going on?" Amelia ran into the room. "OH MY GOD!"

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"X-Men I've just gotten a reading on Cerebro!" Xavier told them as they prepared to go off. They were down in the village near the MacTaggert estate. Xavier had the portable helmet so he could read mutant signatures out in the field. "He's…Oh God no! He's already there! With Moira and MacTaggert!"

"How?" Logan asked.

"He was inside Sgt. Thomas all this time," Xavier spat. "He must have jumped inside him at the traffic accident."

"And we led him right to 'em…" Logan snarled. "X-Men! Move out!"

"Hey some of us aren't bloody X-Men you know?" Jono snapped.

"Not now Chamber!" Brian snapped. "We have to…"

Suddenly the entire village changed around them. It became warped and distorted. "He's here!" Logan screamed, his voice filled with fear.

A figure flew towards them on a raised brick road. Behind him Moira and Amelia were trailing behind, bound by chains. "Hello X-Men!" Kevin shouted in Joe's body. "Meet me Dad!"

Next: The battle with Proteus reaches a climax, and one mutant may have to make the ultimate sacrifice! Stay tuned for the chilling conclusion of this story arc.