Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. I created Evie and the world she lives in.
A/N: Hello, everyone and Happy New Year. This was supposed to be a quick story for before Christmas. Well, life interfered with my plans and the story grew so now it's just the next installment as we work our way toward the future. The funny thing about time travel…the minute you do it everything changes and everything you do causes more changes. It's hard to follow timelines and alternate realities…can really give you a headache. I'm trying to tie into information we received from Thomas' visit from the future and lead back there but 'there' changed after he came here…Don't worry. I'll figure something out. It'll be an interesting ride…I hope…and I hope you all join me. Let's begin.
We're All Family
Chapter 1
Christmas (2006) is coming. It's just around the corner and anticipation is high.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful time for both families. Scott's procedure to restore his normal eyesight was done in early November. As promised, Evie returned to assist Hank. That promise was last year, true, but when Evie and Hank ran a last minute simulation that Evie had insisted on, they found a problem and the procedure had to wait. They had diligently worked on the project since the time they got their plans from their visit to the future. After looking over the plans together, Hank and Evie both agreed that it was worth it to advance the production of the needed instrument. After hearing about all the pain Scott had to endure in the other timeline, she wasn't about to let it happen again. Evie made sure to check thoroughly every step of the way, that all was as it should be. That's when they found misalignment in the control sequencing of the regenerator. It would have worked to heal Scott's brain and give him back the normal use of his eyes…but the power surges would have caused all the pain his counterpart had to endure. Even when Hank was ready to proceed, this time, Evie insisted on checking everything over again…twice. By the time she had agreed to go ahead with the procedure energy in the mansion was at an all time high.
"All right," Evie stated as she looked over her last readings of the simulation she had run now numerous times.
A gasp was heard as Jean was holding her breath waiting for the final word. "Are you sure?...We can do it?"
"Yes. I'm satisfied. I believe we can do this now and avoid the problem from the other timeline and the mistake I almost made last year." She turned to Scott. Moving closer to him she looked right into his visor. "If you so much as wince in pain, I'm intervening."
"I understand," he nodded.
"Good. Now lie back and try to relax. The sedative will keep you out for about an hour but the procedure should only take half that." She turned to Jean. "We talked about this. You can't stay here."
"I know."
"The professor's waiting for you in his office. He'll block your bond to Scott and make sure you don't try to link with any of us." She reached for her hand. "It'll be strange, I know, but I believe it's necessary. If there is a problem you can't try and help. You risk getting too much backlash."
Jean nodded and turned to kiss her husband. "I'll be right here as soon as they let me."
"I know. No matter what happens…I love you," he whispered.
The procedure began and ended smoothly, though a slight readings variation caused Hank and Evie to slow the process making it require almost double the time estimated. When the procedure had ended Jean was allowed back into the lab. Scott's head was lightly bandaged and looked like he had a head wound. Jean wasn't expecting it and with a rush of worry questioned what had gone wrong. Evie had explained that they were just being cautious. They didn't want him opening his eyes as he came out of sedation. If it hadn't worked he would unknowingly destroy the lab or worse.
The lab was full as almost everyone wanted to be there to see the results. Visions of the man they met in the future danced before them all.
Scott sat with his legs over the edge of the med-bed. Hank and Evie moved about preparing to remove the bandages.
When Jean came into the lab she stepped up in between Scott's legs and held his hands. It was more for her comfort than his. She was so nervous her hands were shaking.
The little ones were piling up fast. Kitty, Jubilee and a very pregnant Marie were instructed to keep all the children out in the hall until Hank was assured of their safety. Remy stayed by to help.
Since Jean refused to be anywhere else when Scott opened his eyes for the first time, someone else was called to stand directly behind her.
As Evie cut the last strip holding the gauze over his eyelids, everyone inhaled deeply. Slowly the white discs were removed from his eyes.
Scott concentrated on keeping his eyes tightly shut. His heart was pounding in his chest. Slowly he opened his eyes and blinked. As a smile crept across his lips he spoke softly. "As beautiful as your hands are, I'd like to see my wife, Logan." A collective breath was let out as all began to laugh in nervous relief and joy.
"Hey, can't be too careful," Logan gruffed. "I could handle the lasers and not take it personal. Jeanie might be offended if you burned her." He moved his hands from in front of Scott's now fully focused eyes.
Jean's tear-filled eyes met him next. He slowly reached out with both hands and gently cupped her face, wiping the tears with his thumbs. "You're so beautiful," he whispered. Jean was in his arms in a flash, clinging to him as she cried out the nervousness of the past few hours. As he held his wife, Scott smiled and looked slowly around the room meeting everyone's eyes…for the first time.
Hank moved to his side and took his chin into his large blue hand. With the disposition of a doctor, he stared intently into Scott's eyes as he flashed his pen light in the familiar way. "Stare, if you will, at the metal container, there," Hank turned and pointed. "No powers."
Scott did as he was told and…nothing happened.
"Now, destroy it, if you please," Hank placed both his hands over Jean's head, still resting on Scott's shoulder.
Scott closed his eyes and concentrated as they had discussed before the treatment. When he opened them again…nothing happened…at first. After a few more seconds a ruby beam flashed across the room and the metal was reduced to a blob of cooling molten steel. The intensity was frightening and everyone gasped. Scott pushed his wife away quickly, as he squeezed his eyes shut again and put his hands over them to keep them safely shut.
Not expecting the reaction from her husband, Jean stumbled and fell against Hank as he quickly embraced her and steadied her to her feet.
"Can't control it," Scott called out as his head was bowed, "Evie, please, give me my visor." He reached a hand out toward where he had seen her.
Stepping forward, Evie just placed her hand in his. Holding firmly she answered gently, "No, Scott. We knew it would take some time to learn control." She gently put her hand to his face and tried to turn him to her. "Open your eyes and look at me."
"NO! It's too dangerous. I can't feel anything. I don't know whether it's on or off."
"Scott, I'm here. Can you see me?" Evie spoke as she moved out of a mist in Scott's mind. "I've been here since we removed the bandages. I can feel the difference. It's off. You will be able to feel it, too. It's just that right now you are very excited. When you calm down, you'll know the difference. Open your eyes."
Everyone waited as they suspected Evie was speaking to him and he began to shake his head in the negative.
Scott pulled his hand from Evie's and slowly swung his arm before him. Feeling both Jean and Hank as Jean was still using Hank as support, he firmly pushed them letting them know to step aside.
"Scott," Jean began as she and Hank moved as one, Hank ready to move her quickly if necessary.
"No, Jean, not yet." Scott spoke. "Logan?"
"I'm right here, Buddy," he said as he stepped up and stopped Scott's arm from flailing. "You're not holdin' any grudges at the moment, are ya"? He grinned as everyone laughed off their tensions that had been attacking his senses.
"No. I just hope you don't." Scott removed the remaining hand from his closed eyes and took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart. He blinked quickly several times to try to catch anything that might come out. When he was sure it was ok, he opened his eyes and looked up into Logan's face. Reaching out and taking Logan's offered hand he sighed in relief. "Thank you."
"No problem, but I'm not available for target practice."
Jean quickly pulled away from Hank and moved back into Scott's arms as everyone began to gather around and share their joy.
Evie had called out to Kitty and the children were brought in. Thomas pushed through the parting forest of legs to make his way to his father. "Daddy…" he called out.
"There's my handsome man," Scott reached down and picked him up. He laughed as Thomas made faces as he felt Scott's face and head recognizing something was missing. "In a way, I have you to thank for this." He kissed his son.
Thanksgiving, they all had much to be thankful for.
TBC
