A/N - Welcome aboard, Bothie! I'm super glad to hear that Annie speaks to you. (we love her. So. Much.) And thanks to Practically An Avenger for the caps lock review. Those crack me up and earn some grins, though ... again. gonna have to just wait and see. Enjoy these while you can, guys ... this one is going to end up slowing down substantially so our main-stream 714 universe can catch up and we can avoid spoiling things over there, but rest assured, this story here? Has a LOT left to tell. (and at the rare moments the urge to write hits me, this is the one that seems to be calling my name.)

Chapter 43 - Welcome To Genosha

The day the Summers family and the Maximoff twins were set to head off to Genosha, naturally, things couldn't happen on Scott's proposed timeline. Billy was set to go, as promised, but Tommy … Tommy was in no rush for the first time in the history of ever. Billy and James shared a look, but kept their commentary to themselves as Tommy dragged his feet over leaving Mia behind.

Mia wasn't making it any easier, either. She was soaking up the attention as Tommy made it clear that he'd rather stay in Westchester. With her. And even if Ororo had been irritated with him for how fast the two of them were moving, she had to admit … the way he treated Mia was awfully sweet.

"You're going to miss your flight," Mia said quietly, though James heard her loud and clear from the other side of the foyer.

"Hard to do when it's a private plane," Tommy argued, then stole another kiss. He looked over his shoulder at the group waiting for him. James was pointedly looking between his shoes and Billy, refusing to look their way while Billy did his best to try and give him some little bit of privacy. Rachel, however was openly smiling and not even trying to hide that she was telepathically eavesdropping.

Scott however, didn't look amused - even if Ororo seemed to be enjoying it.

"Your brother is a lot sweeter than he lets on," Rachel said quietly to Billy as Mia broke into a giggle and Tommy finally zipped over.

"Don't tell anyone," Billy replied, then took James' hand as they headed for the waiting jet.

"Are you going to be able to survive a week away from your sweetheart?" Rachel teased as she walked next to Tommy.

"Definitely not," Tommy said, then smirked crookedly to himself. "But … I don't really have to."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rachel asked, unable to not smile along with him.

"Nothing," Tommy replied, resolutely focusing on something else since he did like to keep his secrets and the nosy telepath thing was so overplayed. If he could keep a few things to himself - or better yet, he thought - think too fast for Rachel to track - then all the better for him. In the meantime, he had a whole flight to suffer through listening to his brother flirt. Even if he was pretty sure Billy would restrain himself while he was so closely in earshot of Scott.

Genosha was somehow both exactly what the Summers family had expected to see - and not at all what they'd expected.

It was just as big and imposing as they'd assumed it would be, but it also had a whole population full of mutants out in the open like Alex had told them about when he would come to visit. There were plenty of physically mutated people, since they were more likely to hide away on an island than anyone else.

People flying, powers flashing… it was what Magneto had promised. Except for the big metal walls and the feeling of unease that Rachel could sense as soon as they arrived. That feeling had her taking an unconscious step closer to Scott. She hadn't expected the people on Genosha to feel the same way the people in Westchester did - separated from the world - but it was also clear that they were just as worried about being a target as the people at the school. Because Magneto was out in public, threats on Genosha seemed inevitable, and then where would these people go when they had literally run away to a far-flung island to find peace?

You alright? Scott projected to her. He seemed hyper-aware of her and James now, and she saw him walking ahead of them both almost like he was acting as a shield. She didn't think it was a conscious decision, either.

I'm alright, she promised. Everyone seems a little edgy. A lot of people think that Magneto stepping out and causing trouble is going to make them a target.

They're not wrong, was Scott's simple response, though before he could say anything more, Magneto himself met them there, along with Wanda, who rushed over to both of her boys with a broad smile to wrap them in hugs while Vision, not far behind her, asked them about how they liked school and if they'd made any friends.

"Yeah, have you met Billy's boyfriend?" Tommy said. "Because you should. My girlfriend couldn't come because Storm said she has to help prep for midterms, in case anyone was wondering."

"Nice to meet you," James said as he offered Vision his hand to shake, then managed to give Erik a tight smile. "James Howlett - the second."

"Vision," he replied, smiling as he took James' hand. "You look just like your father."

"Thank you," James replied with a little smile that he obviously meant. And Scott was watching him more carefully because of it.

"I promised I'd show him around," Billy put in as he took a hold of James' arm and pulled him away from Vision. "We'll sit down for dinner together later as a family, okay?"

Wanda smirked. "Just be back in time-"

"Thanks, Mom!" Billy said, grinning as he pulled James with him to head off, even with Erik glaring after them.

Scott shook his head before he gave Wanda a warmer smile - and she beat him to the hug. "It's been a long time," he said.

"Too long, if you ask me," Wanda said. "I kept hoping you'd come back and stay for a while. I'm so glad you're here. All of you."

"Hey, you've seen my kids. The youngest is still at home - he's the quarterback and he's failing history, so he's grounded," Scott said with a smirk. "I couldn't take them away from the friends they've made."

"Nate looks just like you, Scott," Wanda said. "I saw him in Westchester with that pretty little girlfriend of his. You've got trouble on your hands, you know."

"Oh, I know it," Scott said, shaking his head. "And he's got his mother's powers. So you can imagine how much trouble I'm keeping up with."

"You have to be getting a headache constantly just to keep your thoughts your own," she laughed. "Maybe we can send you home with one of father's helmets so you can get a break."

He couldn't help but smile for that one. "Hey, I was married to the most powerful telepath in the world. I know how to keep people out if I want. Rachel's not as powerful as her mother was."

"Speaking of," Wanda said, turning to Rachel. "You are simply stunning, Rachel."

Rachel blushed. "Thanks," she said. "I get that a lot at school from the old X-Men."

"Are you at the school with my boys then?" Wanda asked. "It's been so long I can't remember how old everyone is anymore."

"Oh, I graduated," Rachel said. "I'm an Avenger now."

Wanda lit up. "You are? That's wonderful!"

Rachel resisted the urge to look over her shoulder at Scott. "Yeah, it took some convincing, but I love it."

"I loved my time on the team," Wanda said. "They really are the best friends you'll ever make."

"Well, there aren't too many my age that I'm not either related to or - well, probably going to be related to with the way Nate and Kate are going."

"Billy said they were given an invitation to join up," Wanda said. "It sounded like they were expanding their younger roster."

Rachel nodded with a smile. "Tony's still got everyone in training, but I wouldn't be surprised if Steve tells him to stop hemming and hawing and just let them be official."

"Tony means well," Wanda said, "But he really thinks he runs everything. All the time. Everywhere."

"When we all know Jan's really in charge," Rachel said with a crooked grin. "Especially since she and Tony got married."

"That was a very long tapdance," Wanda said.

"Well, she dated Dad first," Rachel admitted, dropping her voice to a whisper.

Wanda turned to look at Scott, one eyebrow raised. "What happened? Jan's wonderful."

"Jan got hurt," Rachel said, entirely serious now as she kept her voice down. "And Dad can't lose anyone."

Wanda let her shoulders drop as she made her way over to give Rachel a little hug too. "You're such a wonderful daughter."

Rachel smiled as she returned the hug. "I was raised right."

"You sure were," Wanda agreed with a smile. "So … why don't you tell me about your brothers?"

"Do you want dirt on the one dating Billy or are you just asking generally?" Rachel asked with a troublemaking sparkle in her gaze that was so much like Jean's that Wanda had to laugh.

"I'm asking about both, but I'll take dirt too," Wanda laughed. "Billy's been very vague about all of it. I wasn't even sure of who he was seeing until he mentioned wanting to bring him here."

Rachel linked arms with Wanda. "Well, I think he's just trying to protect James. Largely because James has never dated a boy before. But Billy really is so sweet." Rachel was sure to play up how much Billy was liked, even if she wasn't sure yet if he was trustworthy.

"He really is," Wanda agreed. "But I am incredibly biased."

"You're supposed to be. I bet if you ask Dad anything about us, you'll get sunshine and optimism."

"Really? Sunshine and optimism from Cyclops? I can't wait to hear it," Wanda laughed.

"Well, just for us," Rachel clarified. "And only to other people. We definitely still get the 'how dare you break the rules' side of things, but to everyone else, Dad's all 'my kids are the world' and … you know how he is."

"He's a darling," Wanda said, smiling over at Scott as she led Rachel ahead of the others.

"High praise," Erik said to Scott as the two of them fell back a bit. Vision had of course, stuck to Tommy and was quietly quizzing him on all the trouble he'd been causing.

"My kids are biased," Scott said simply. "They know where they stand with me."

Erik nodded slowly. "We do so much to try to protect them."

"That's all I've been doing. You see how much they look like us."

"Yes, I've seen already how much they look like you," Erik said. "I'm honestly surprised that you let them step out of the house in those uniforms."

Scott stopped walking and turned on his heel to face Erik. "That," he said, "was your fault."

"Excuse me," Erik said, sounding perfectly insulted.

"You show up talking about how mutants need a voice, and my kids - who were raised on stories of the X-Men and what we really believed - took you up on it," Scott said, drawing himself up with his chin tipped up. "You wanted more mutants out in the open? Well, there they are. Fighting for what they believe. I hope you're happy."

"Perhaps they simply need someone to guide them," Erik said in a thoughtful tone, even if he'd been carefully choosing the words to use in this conversation for months. "Someone to keep a close eye on them and guide them."

"Right now, what they need is to stay small," Scott said. "They're still learning how to be X-Men. It's only been a few months." He frowned Erik's way. "I agreed to come here so I could get the chance to tell you to be careful with my kids. I can't lose them."

"I'm not sure why you'd think that I would harm them," Erik said. "I haven't had any trouble with them yet."

"You mean besides that display in my son's lab," Scott said dryly.

Erik scoffed, waving one hand dismissively. "The boy was unharmed. I was under the impression that it was his idea to keep things quiet and I have yet to see anything that would make me believe that the boy isn't simply stringing young William along. As I understand it, there hasn't been an interest in other young men. The circumstances seem questionable at best. Especially considering his background."

"I raised him myself," Scott said with narrowed eyes. "Not only to have respect for himself and others but to look out for people around him." He tipped his chin up. "Regardless of their backgrounds, Magneto."

"I'd imagine that that may be the trouble, considering who he is close to. The fact that you still trust that elitist group of humans will never be something that I can understand. Their little team is a bit of a joke don't you think? Compared to what the X-Men used to be?"

"They're just helping people where they can. Stopping hate crimes, stepping in when they see the need. They're not reaching any higher yet because I asked them not to go too big too fast," Scott said. "They'll stay out of your way as long as you keep your attention on what's actually important. The bigger fish to fry."

"And that applies to all of them?" Erik asked. "I won't pretend like I'm not concerned that there might be one or two that are more headstrong and reckless."

"They're kids," Scott said. "They're teenagers. I have to get onto Nate for getting caught with his girlfriend behind the bleachers still. They're not adults, Erik. They make dumb decisions. And I came here to ask you to let them."

"Yes, I heard you," Erik said. "I'm simply concerned for them, and the company they each chose to keep, that's all." He smiled more warmly. "We're on the same side, Scott."

Scott watched Erik for a long moment and then relaxed just slightly. "You know there's nothing I wouldn't do for them, don't you? I'm just trying to keep them from making my mistakes."

"Yes, And I feel the same way," Erik said. "The twins have been here from the moment of their birth. Seeing them out in the world that hates and fears them isn't something I was prepared to deal with."

Scott nodded. "I know," he said. "I hate it too."

"So tell me," Erik said. "Is it true that the only training they've received was Avenger's approved?"

Scott nodded, though he knew what Erik was getting at already since he disapproved of Kate. "They started out on the Avengers, since we never restarted the X-Men," he explained. He held up a hand before Erik could say anything. "And I'll thank you to stop telling the world we ran away. Some of us never recovered, and some of us still don't have any power." He gestured to his face and the three long scars. "Some of us can only keep our families safe."

"As much as I sympathize with you, Scott, the fact remains… the X-Men did run away."

"The X-Men died with the professor," Scott said flatly.

"Then let's hope that you're wrong about that," Erik said. "Especially since both of my grandsons are wearing that badge now and the two of them are meant to be the future leaders of Genosha. The mutants of the world need them to be safe."

Scott let out a breath and ran a hand over his face. "Erik," he said slowly, "we can't let any of them get hit. Not like what happened before."

"Scott, I can't protect anyone that isn't on this island."

"Then why am I seeing you on the news bashing governments and stirring up trouble?" Scott shot back.

"I'm not stirring up trouble," Erik said defensively. "I'm putting the call out to make it right."

"And look what happened!" Scott said, finally raising his voice. "You resurrected a team with a price on their heads for existing just by invoking our legacy!"

"If you and Storm hadn't decided that cowardice was the way to allow young people to survive, then I wouldn't have been forced to defend my old friend's dream."

"I'm not the one who restarted the school!" Scott shot back.

"No, but you are the one that raised the three that are at the center of the X-Men's resurrection."

"I raised them on the professor's dream - of course they responded to it-"

"And you're somehow surprised that they too said you were wrong to hide?"

"I can't lose them!" Scott shouted, though as soon as he said it, he blinked and let his shoulders drop. "They're still kids. I can't lose them to the badge."

Erik was quiet for a long moment. "If they'll follow my lead, I can protect them."

"They won't even follow mine; I doubt that's going to happen," Scott said with a hollow laugh.

"You'll have to convince them," Erik said.

Scott shook his head, looking up at the ceiling as he considered his options. "I don't know that they'd be willing to follow anyone but themselves right now," he said. "But they're still young, and the team is still new… it's possible."

"You work on your children, and I'll work on mine," Erik said with what passed for a warm smile.

This time, it was Scott's turn to be quiet for a long moment. "Just promise me something," he said slowly. "If you're about to kick a hornet's nest - the MRD, government programs, whatever - tell me so I can keep them from getting caught up in something they're not ready to handle. Please."

Erik frowned but watched Scott for a long time before he finally nodded. "If nothing else, then to keep the twins safe. Yes."

Scott looked visibly relieved. "Alright," he said.

"We'll need to talk about that little issue too, though," Erik said.

"I can't help you with that," Scott said. "I haven't been an X-Man in years, and I lost my powers." He smiled ruefully.

"I meant your son," Erik said.

"James knows the stories," Scott said. "He knows what his parents went through, and he knows what to look out for."

"But does he know that someone like those that used his parents would not hesitate to pick up Billy if they couldn't get to James directly?"

"I gave all three of them a warning about protecting anyone they're close to as soon as they were old enough to understand it," Scott said.

"Reinforce it. That family naturally draws down more trouble than any other I've seen."

"He's my son, Erik."

"So you keep saying, as if your influence alone would be enough to go against the nature of the beasts."

"Don't talk about my family that way," Scott said sharply. "James is one of the smartest and kindest people I have ever met. Bar none."

Erik let out a patient sigh. "Old prejudices." He barely broke stride as he started off again. "And I'm not the only one who feels that way, or you wouldn't have been hiding them so carefully for so long. If something were to change with the boy - no one would be able to say you hadn't done all you could."

"I didn't come here to listen to you insult my friends' memory either," Scott said, his tone rising. "I came here because, and I can't stress this enough, our boys like each other. Genuinely. I'm here for their sake, not your old prejudices."

Erik watched him for a long moment. "And that in itself could be a liability for both of them if the wrong person saw that to be true."

"I already told you that I'll talk to him," Scott promised. "And I'll keep an eye on things myself. You know I will. I'm not going to let anything happen to those kids. Mine or yours. That's just not happening, even if I have to come out and fight myself." He shook his head. "Do you think I want them to end up like my team?"

"I think, Cyclops, that in some cases, it's unavoidable."

"I think, Magneto, that if you're willing to accept that, you're not trying hard enough," Scott shot back. "The only one of my kids that I've had issues with on relationships is Rachel, and that's because she looks and acts so much like Jean. James, out of all of my kids, has been the most cautious. Careful. Protective."

Erik narrowed his eyes at that. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"You already have," Scott said. "Or did you miss that he was standing up for me because you were so caught up in the fact that he was standing up to you?"

"To be honest, he looks so much like his father, I didn't quite pay attention to what his trigger was."

"He'll defend Billy just as sharply as he defended me. He's not the one I'm worried about," Scott said. He shook his head. "You're slipping. Years ago, you would have known exactly what buttons you pushed so you could push them again and make Logan angry."

"Lets hope things resolve so I don't need to start looking on this one."

"You won't have to if you stay away from them," Scott shot back, though he was having trouble holding himself back when he knew Erik had already threatened James. His plan was to let Erik think he was vulnerable, but after years of trying to keep the kids safe, standing in front of the man who threatened them was itself an act of resolve. "I told you. They're staying small-time. Stop picking fights with my kids. You want to use the professor's name? Do some real good and fight the fights they're not ready for."

"We'll discuss this again later," Erik said dismissively. "Now, I'm sure you must be tired."

Scott let out a breath of a laugh. "I'm not too old to go a few rounds with you," he said. "But we'll be here for the week. I guess we can come back to it if you need the time to think it over." He smirked and looked around. "Are Kitty and Bobby still here? I haven't seen them since the kids were in elementary school…"

"Yes, they're around here somewhere," Erik said with a wave. "Wanda is more likely to be able to tell you where."

"I'm surprised you haven't asked them to join your crusade," Scott said dryly.

"I haven't asked any of the citizens here to leave for anything that isn't centered on Genosha."

Scott raised an eyebrow at that and then smiled lightly. "You know, that actually makes me feel better? Knowing you aren't raising an army?" He shook his head before he turned away again. "Guess things have changed. Nice to know Alex wasn't blowing smoke."

"I've become a bit more protective of those my daughters have chosen to marry," Erik admitted.

"Yeah. I know the feeling. Billy's been over for dinner every weekend, and Kate comes over all the time. The way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if they get married young like Jean and I did."

"Let's hope not," Erik said.

Scott laughed. "Hey, can't stop love. Or didn't you know that?"

"It's a bit early to be calling it that," Erik bristled.

"You haven't seen the look on Nate's face." Scott waved a hand in his own direction. "I saw it in the mirror often enough. I know I'm sunk."

"Scott, please," Erik said.

Scott smirked and held up both hands. "Okay, okay. I'll confine our conversations to 'please don't get my kids killed' and 'yes, I'll look out for yours too'."

Erik made a tutting noise as he changed direction - by lifting off the ground. "Good luck finding your brother, Scott."

Scott chuckled and shook his head, though it didn't take him long to catch up to Wanda and the others on their tour, not when he just had to project to Rachel then follow her mental signature. "Can I ask you where Kitty is? Or Bobby? I was hoping to say hello while we were here."

"Of course," Wanda said, smiling up at him. "They were down by the courtyard a little while before you came. If they're not there, I'll send someone to find them."

"Thanks, Wanda," Scott said with a smile, heading down to the courtyard with his hands in his pockets.

Sure enough, Kitty and Bobby were both still in the courtyard, milling around and talking to each other - though when Kitty saw Scott, she nearly knocked him over with a running start and a grinning hug.

"Hey, Kitty," Scott said, shaking his head as he caught her.

"I can't believe I haven't seen you in person in so long," Kitty said, snuggling in and wearing a grin. "I've missed you!"

"It's good to see you too," Scott said. "Even if I got invited here because my son is dating Magneto's grandson," he added, shaking his head at the situation.

"That … so it sounded a lot weirder than it looked," Kitty said. "They were through here a little while ago and I have to admit .. they're pretty cute together."

"I know," Scott said. "Wait until you see Nate and his girlfriend."

"It's just nice to see them happy. I was so worried for all of you for so long … now it doesn't seem like it was necessary."

Scott nodded. "That's the whole point, right? Why do you think I've been gone so long? A whole childhood and high school parade of hanging on by my fingernails with these kids. I had Luke Cage breathing down my neck at one point and Spider-Man having anxiety attacks after that. It's been … busy."

"So they're wearing you down is what you're saying," Bobby said, smirking to himself.

"Hey, James has his parents' powers and K's sense of humor," Scott said. "Rachel has the Phoenix… and Nate is dating the cheer captain."

"So the worst possible trouble in every scenario?" Bobby said as he crossed the distance and bumped Kitty out of the way to wrap Scott up - more emotional than he'd let on before as he latched on to Scott.

"Woah." Scott took a step back and then hugged Bobby back just as tightly. "Hey, you okay?"

"I've missed you way more than should be possible."

"Sorry about that," Scott said.

"So on a scale of one to 'let's break out of this jail', how up to trouble are you?"

Scott smirked. "Where on that scale does 'winning Magneto's trust' fall?" he asked, dropping his voice at that.

"Seriously?" Bobby asked, wide-eyed. "Like … six points past the jail cell."

"Kitty said you guys were having problems," Scott said.

"Yeah, I'm not sure if it's senility or a late-life crisis."

Scott let out a breath. "How bad is it, Bobby?" he asked. "I know he's mad that everyone on the mainland is hiding their powers, but that's almost pedestrian for him."

"Yeah, well - the news from around the world isn't exactly all reaching the States then," Bobby said. "He's got spies in Latveria and a few other tiny little evil hell holes that are actually walking the line between detainment camps and open calls for no mutants."

"I haven't heard about anything like that," Scott said with a frown. "Things aren't ideal Stateside, but the Avengers have been shutting down anything that crosses the line into actual violence. They've been doing that around the world, too."

"Well, they've been missing a few spots. And the ones they've been missing are pretty substantial."

Scott let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes. "That would definitely get him angry. I'll tell the team, see if Natasha can dig into the worst places. She's usually on top of it, but she just had a little girl… and she's been busy digging into all the weapons programs watching the kids trying to defund them or distract them."

"Didn't know you kept so close," Kitty teased.

"Hey, Rachel joined the Avengers after she graduated, so we're in close contact. And, they helped me with the kids when a few people came looking for them. It hasn't been totally smooth sailing," Scott said.

"I thought Jean burned out all the trouble," Bobby said.

"She did. But you can't kill an idea," Scott said in a sigh.

"So okay. We can cover that later," Bobby told him. "How about a nice, private walk on the beach?"

"After you," Scott said, more than a little surprised that Bobby was being paranoid and careful - though that more than anything else spoke to how things really were on Genosha.

Bobby was quiet for a long while, even after they were on the beach. In fact, they'd walked until the main spires of the city were starting to look a little foggy from how far they were from it. "So. This can't keep going," Bobby said.

Scott turned Bobby's way. "Kitty said things were bad here, but … I don't think I've ever seen you get jumpy, Bobby."

"Yeah, well, spend years on the island of King Magneto and things change."

"You know you'd have been more than welcome with me or Ororo," Scott pointed out.

"That … would have required being allowed to leave," Bobby said. "And I've been caught at least half a dozen times trying to get out."

Scott frowned hard at that and put a hand on Bobby's shoulder, looking his friend over a little better. "Are you alright? I had no idea."

"Well of course you didn't," Bobby said. "Genosha isn't a vacation destination."

"That and Alex has come to see us a few times," Scott said.

"Well that's a little different," he replied. "Royal family has special privileges."

"Yeah, I'm getting that idea," Scott said, frowning the more he heard. "What about the rest of the island? The people who weren't X-Men, I mean."

"Yeah, they don't get to go anywhere either," Kitty said. "Bobby's right. This is like … the Hotel California for mutant kind."

"It must be bad if you're the one making jokes and Bobby's being paranoid," Scott said.

"Desperate times, buddy," Bobby said.

Scott shook his head, looking out at the beach as he thought it over - and caught sight of Billy obviously showing off for James with a few magically created waves that they could surf that took them on an almost-rollercoaster of water. He shook his head to himself and then turned back to his old teammates. "So. I think I can get close to him. I just wanted to be sure…" He let out a breath. "I want to be sure he's not salvageable. That's what the professor would do."

"Alright, but the professor didn't have to live with him for this long," Bobby said. "He won't listen to reason."

"I'm starting to get that idea," Scott said. "I'm still going to try - but that's partly because he expects that from me. He won't trust me if I don't disagree with him sometimes." He paused. "But I can get close. I know I can."

"So … is this you coming out of retirement?" Bobby asked cautiously. "Because if it's not you, I'm afraid we might have to call in Alpha Flight, and I'm pretty sure we'd rather just die of embarrassment first."

Scott scoffed. "We're not calling in Alpha Flight," he said. He held up a hand. "I'm not coming out of retirement. I'm just … helping some old friends."

"Well … we could ask the X-Men," Kitty said, doing her best to keep a poker face.

"We're not involving the kids in this," Scott said. "You and I both know Magneto is dangerous. We keep this between us."

"Yeah, well … don't be surprised if you find him shadowing Billy and his sweetheart while you're here."

"Yeah, I got that impression," Scott said with a sigh. "He's not happy about their relationship. He never did like Logan."

"I'm sure he thinks it's spiteful," Bobby added.

"Yeah, the universe has a way of rewarding stupidity," Scott said dryly.

"This has to be something awesome then," Kitty said. "What act of stupidity do you think he's paying for now?"

"Everything he ever said to Logan," Scott said. "Every last insult."

Kitty looked openly surprised by Scott's answer. "Well if that's the case, we ought to start planning the wedding because there is no way this is all he gets if it's for all that."

"We're hand-delivering karma for the rest of it," Scott pointed out, then let out a breath and looked more serious. "I'm going to start working on non-metallic weapons. Kitty, I need you to keep an eye on things and help me get on his good side. Don't hide that we're talking, either. Act concerned. I'm banking on him treating me like a desperate father trying to protect his kids, so if he thinks he can manipulate me, all the better."

"That ought to be an easy sell, all things considered," Kitty pointed out. "Since that has been exactly what you've been since you disappeared."

"Hey, all lies have truth in them," Scott pointed out. "But the point is: he doesn't trust you or he would let you leave the island or ask you to run missions with him. We can use that too."

"Alright," Kitty said with a nod. "We'll hold up our end. I know I don't have to tell you to play up his paranoia when he's already so wound up."

Scott nodded. "I'm trying to steer his paranoia away from my kids and onto better targets. I don't know if I can get close enough to stop him from lashing out just yet, and I'd rather he go after detainment camps than teenagers."

"That'll be fun since he's been careful about ticking off Latveria."

"Birds of a feather," Scott said dryly.

"More or less," Bobby agreed.

Scott let out a breath and then pulled Bobby into a hug. "Don't worry," he said. "We take care of each other, right?"

"We used to," Bobby said. "I'd like to again."

"When this is all over, come to Westchester."

"Is that a promise?"

"Hey, Warren and Hank would love to see you too," Scott said.

"So when this is over, you, me, and them can go down to Harry's, huh?"

"We'll see," Scott said. "You may be busy convincing my brother and Lorna to step up here since I'm assuming Wanda doesn't want to mess with it. If she did, Erik wouldn't be trying to groom Billy for the job - and he is too young to handle that. There's a whole island of people that will still need this place standing as a haven, and I'm sure Erik's going to knock me around when this does go down." He smirked. "This will be the one time you'll be less concussed and more eloquent."

"I'm still gonna need that root beer with you guys," Bobby said. "Never thought I'd miss the greasy burgers there …"

"The guys'll be thrilled."

"Hey. Not just them," Bobby said, poking him in the chest. "I've only been out of jail for a few months. I still need some hope here."

Scott let out a breath and then gave Bobby a tired smile. "Like I said, we'll see what happens. But sure, yeah. Harry's sounds good."

"Alright," Bobby said, though he wasn't really smiling at him. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Scott."

Scott nodded. "I'm going to go break up the love fest before James ends up egging Billy into something that will get us kicked off the island early."

"That might be what Billy's angling for," Kitty pointed out.

"He wanted James to meet his family."

"He wanted James to meet his parents," Kitty said. "From what I heard from Wanda, I wouldn't be surprised if the reason this got started between them was because Billy saw James yelling at Erik."

"You would have been proud," Scott said with a smirk. "He had every bit of Logan's anger - but K's creative eloquence."

"Oh man. How'd the old man take it?"

"Backed off fast," Scott said, looking proud.

"Nice," Bobby said, nodding his head.

"Yeah, those kids are something else," Scott said. "You'd be proud. I think they have a real shot at living up to the dream." He paused. "Not that they don't scare the hell out of me doing it."

"Then they're just like their folks, right?" Kitty said. "And the Dad that's been taking care of them the whole time."

"I raised them with stories of the professor's dream. I really shouldn't be surprised," Scott admitted, his gaze on the boys in the waves. He cleared his throat. "Anyway. I'll stay in touch. You just find me a way through Magneto's defenses once I'm in."

"That I can do," Kitty said. "We'll just need to stay in contact so I can disable everything. It's not the most advanced thing in the world, but it is maddeningly irritating."

"Yeah, but you'll handle it," Scott said, smirking her way.

"Oh sure, no problem," Kitty agreed, though her expression fell when Scott waved and headed to catch up with the boys.

"So," Bobby said over her shoulder, "you caught that too, right?"

"Oh yeah," she said, nodding along.

"Do we call it off?" he asked. "I mean, it's Scott talking like that…"

Kitty sighed. "I think … we keep a close watch on him. Do everything we can to make sure this doesn't turn out as a disaster."

"Good, because that…"

"Maybe we should talk to Rachel," Kitty said. "She could at least confirm if it's him being … him, or if it's something … else."

"Yeah." Bobby shook his head. "We never should've busted up the team."

"That wasn't really our call," Kitty pointed out.

"You could've run it," Bobby said with a smirk.

"Probably should have," she agreed. "I just thought he'd recover from it better than the rest of us."

"Hey, it took me a while to stop feeling like crap," Bobby pointed out. "I was part of the leadup to Logan snapping, remember?"

"So was he," Kitty said.

"Yeah. And then everything with Jean too. And we still don't know what happened to Charles…" Bobby rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. I feel like we shouldn't be surprised."

"He just always seemed like he had it together the most."

"We'll just have to have his back until he gets it back, right?" Bobby said. "That's what we do." He smirked. "Looks like we're X-Men again, Kitty."

"Some of us never really stopped, popsicle."