Tolly: I know, I know. It took way too long…but, hey, this chapter's got a disclaimer on it! (Seeing as I've forgotten it for the past 7 chapters)

Disclaimer: I do not own LXG or the works of the amazing authors who created the extraordinary characters. I do, however, own their modern counterparts.

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"Aw, come on, Mary!" Allan whined.

"You've got school tomorrow. We're going home." said Mary firmly.

"Tom," Allan turned to his 'father' for support. "Tell her I don't have to go to school tomorrow!"

"Sorry, but Mary's your guardian. What she says goes." Sawyer shrugged helplessly. "I didn't like school either, but Aunt Polly made me go."

"But you weren't a clone sent forward in time that might have an immortal after him!"

"Allan," said Veronica. "You're sixteen. Grow up."

Allan stuck his tongue out at her.

"He's got a point, though." said Timmy, who flinched as Mary rounded on him. "I mean, considering what Dorian and M did to the League, we have every right to be worried."

"But Dana and Elle are only teenage girls." Skinner pointed out. "What could they—ow!" He was cut off as Veronica punched him on the shoulder.

"You didn't grow up with Ronnie." said Edgar. "You should never underestimate girls."

"I think we may have learned that from Ms. Harker." said Captain Nemo. The vampiress smiled modestly.

Mary switched tactics. "If all five of you are absent tomorrow, Dana and Elle will know that something is up."

"She's right," said James, ever the logical one. "We've got to act like nothing's wrong."

"And like we didn't stay up till…" Timmy checked his watch. "…two in the morning."

Suddenly, Edgar made a choking sound. Alarmed, everyone turned to see him stifling a laugh. "What is it?" Zachary asked.

"According to Gary," said Edgar, struggling to keep a straight face. "Allan had a date tonight. He missed it completely."

Allan blanched. "Oh no! Elizabeth!" He fell to his knees in front of Mary. "Please don't make me go to school tomorrow!"

"Since when does Gary keep track of schedules?" Dr. Jekyll asked curiously.

"He's stuck inside me most of the time. He's got nothing better to do, especially since he can't try to take over, not with your other half around."

Jekyll glanced into a mirror on the wall to see Mr. Hyde, looking somewhat smug. "You better hope that he turns out to be as helpful as you." Jekyll muttered.

Meanwhile, James and Veronica were helping Mary with Allan.

"Oh, come on!" said Veronica. "You're not afraid to go to school just because of a few girls, are you?"

"A few good-looking girls, I might add." James put in. "Though why Elizabeth would go out with the likes of you is beyond me."

"You're just jealous." said Allan, shaking off his juvenile behavior.

"Jealous?" James raised an eyebrow. "Of your so-called dating skills? If I remember correctly, your last date upended a trashcan onto your head."

"Well, at least I've had dates." Allan's remark had been meant for James, who didn't go out much, but James' dark eyes slid over to Veronica, who had suddenly become very tense. Too late, Allan realized his mistake. "Sorry, Ronnie. I forgot. I—"

Veronica stood, cutting him off. "I'll be out in the van, Mary." She turned to the League, who were looking confused and concerned. "I'll see you all tomorrow." Despite her polite and controlled tone, most of them had the feeling that invisible tears were pooling in her eyes. With that, Veronica left the room.

Mary took over. "Boys," she said. "Let's get going."

Obediently, the four boys said their goodbyes and left the Nautilus.

"What happened?" Skinner asked.

Mary chose her words carefully. "Dating--that is, courting--is a sensitive subject for us, especially for Veronica. There are a lot of things she can do, but how can she have a relationship with someone who can't even tell her how pretty her eyes are?" Mary shook her head, as though clearing it. "Well, goodnight. I daresay you'll need some rest after your journey. Farewell until tomorrow."

Once she had left, the League exchanged uneasy glances.

"Are we sure we did the right thing?" asked Sawyer, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"Yes," said the Time Traveller firmly.

"But to see them, with our talents and evils, at that age?" said Dr. Jekyll. "At least we had somewhat of a choice. At least we know what it is to have a normal existence."

"That's just the thing." said Zachary. "The children haven't known a normal life. This is all they've known, and they're okay with it. Believe me, I watched them grow up. And your so-called evils are not evil in their hands, not when it's part of their natural DNA."

"I see what you mean, Zachary," said Skinner. "It's not only that, though. It's the fact that they're younger versions of us. It takes some getting used to, seeing double like that."

"Tell me about it." Sawyer agreed. "It was just last week--in our personal timelines--when they skipped ahead in time. I mean, I still remember holding little Allan. And now…" He trailed off.

Each member of the League had their own fond (and recent) memories of the infants and their short time as parents. Though the Time Traveller had forewarned them, it had still been quite a shock to see those infants as teenagers in so short a time.

"We will continue this conversation in the morning." said Nemo after a pause. "For now, however, we should sleep."

They all went to their separate suites, welcoming the prospect of rest. However, this was not to be. Mina, Skinner, Sawyer and the Time Traveller all but ran into each other as they hurried from their rooms.

"Griffin's notebooks are gone!" cried Skinner, half his makeup off. He was referring to the three notebooks he had stolen long ago, which contained the secrets to invisibility.

"As is Dorian's portrait," said Mina. Her ladylike tone did not obscure her shock. She had taken the painting for safekeeping after its spell had been reversed. She kept it under lock and key partly to keep it from the wrong hands, and partly because she couldn't bear the sight of Dorian Gray's face.

The Time Traveller looked extremely distressed, and for good reason. "The Time Machine has been sabotaged. There were pieces ripped off and crushed. I don't know if I can repair it."

Sawyer, however, seemed to be holding back tears. When he spoke, his voice cracked with sorrow. "Quatermain's gun," he managed to say.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" asked Skinner. No one had an answer.

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Tolly: Don't even think of pointing out that Matilda was left on Quatermain's grave. I'm well aware of that…to friend reading over shoulder …shut it.

Reviews are still very much welcomed.