Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. I created Evie and the rosy world she lives in.

A/N: I'm sorry it's been a while. Though it may seem as if the story is over and the mystery woman identified, there is actually more to come. Remember, there was someone looking for Adam. Again, I've started posting before I have the story completed, so we'll "all" be interested in finding out the ending.

Thanks to Melodie568. Liby, I hope I answer your questions and raise a few more. Courtney, thank you and fear not, I would always finish a story even if I weren't getting any reviews. MadMutant, again I hope I raise more questions. There is more to come. Bohemianbabe, I'm sorry I haven't been reading more but life's crazy. I'll be back. In the meantime, thank you for sticking with me. LoveConquers, again you astound me with your perception of the little things. I love it. Lately, I'd much rather live in my rose-colored world, but alas, reality presses in...and on. Thank you all for your caring support.

We're All Family

Chapter 9

The next day dawned brightly as plans for Christmas were expanded. Breakfast was cheery and messy with 3 little ones. "I know you don't know everything about them yet but if no one objects, I would like to bring Dria and John here for a while. I think we might be able to get a handle on her condition if I'm given the chance to examine her properly."

"Having them here will be wonderful. Christmas is for family, after all." Evie smiled knowing the healing it would bring Adam's heart after losing Dria so long ago.

"Evie should go to the hotel with me to make the offer and pick them up." Adam turned to his wife. "You might be able to strengthen her for the trip in if she needs it. For as long as she's with us, she won't need her nurse. God willing, she won't need one again."

With renewed enthusiasm for the upcoming holiday and only four days before everyone was expected, the girls got together to make a list of things to do and buy. Confidence restored in her husband, Evie was determined to make this Christmas special for him.

All three children were put down for their morning naps as the guys brought out the boxes of decorations that had been collected over the years. "I think we'll be ok with the tree decorations," Evie stated, "as long as you two don't get carried away with the tree." She turned a smile to Jesse and Brennan.

"Us?" they said in unison as they looked at each other then back to her.

"Yes, you. Last year the tree was so big we had to rig it just to stand and there weren't nearly enough decorations to cover it properly."

"Well…" Jesse began to make his excuses, "that tree was about to fall anyway."

"Yeah," Brennan continued to help him out, "Cutting another one would have been a waste."

"Very ecologically minded. I like that." Adam concurred.

Evie spun and punched his shoulder. "Don't help them. Let's shoot for no taller than 8 feet this year." She turned back to the boys. Looking sharply at Brennan she ordered, "If you can't reach the top…don't cut it." She winked and smiled as he pouted. "Shal agreed to shop today. I also want to come home and make a nice dinner to welcome John and Dria."

"What did you find out?"

"The kid just moved here from Scotland. He's a genius just like his dear ol' dad."

"Yeah, what else?"

"Hey, gimme a chance, he just got in the country a couple o' days ago. He bought a car, yesterday, looks like he plans on stayin' around. I put a tracker on it. Let me see what I can find out about him. He can't go anywhere I won't find him. Besides, with Christmas coming, he'll probably be spending time with Kane."

"Good. This is working out even better than I had planned. Let Adam get used to having him around for a while. Then I'll have my revenge. It'll be even sweeter than I thought."

After Adam and Evie left for the hotel, Brennan and Shalimar headed to the store. "Evie's so happy now. I'm glad things weren't as bad as they seemed."

"Yeah," Brennan walked beside her as she pushed the cart. "That would have been one ugly skeleton falling out of Adam's closet."

"You don't have any skeletons like that waiting to fall on me, do you?" Shalimar looked up at him trying hard to keep a straight face.

Brennan was shocked at first by the question but quickly realized her tone. He glanced down the aisle then leaned down to whisper in her ear. "The only body falling on you, Baby, is mine." He kissed her head as she swatted the back of her hand into his chest.

Jesse and Kitty were putting some of the decorations around the rec room and waiting for the babies to get up. Kitty had been holding a small stuffed snowman and seemed lost in her own world. Jesse stopped and came up behind her. "Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah," she smiled back at him and put the snowman down. "I was just thinking. When I thought I was pregnant before, it made me nervous. I guess it took me by surprise. But then when Adam confirmed that I wasn't…well, I was a little disappointed." She looked at him. "We haven't really talked about when we would have another baby. I mean, Bryan was a few years older than Tracy in the future, right? So we wouldn't have to consider it yet. I mean…Bryan's only 1."

"You're right." Jesse pulled her closer to him. "I haven't really thought about it. But…just because we saw something in the future doesn't mean that has to be the way it is. Brennan changed all that when he changed his honeymoon plans, right? Shawna's here and we still have Shal, thank God. And now look at Evie. Do you remember Nadene talking about a brother or sister?" He smiled as she just shook her head.

"Jess," she looked into his eyes, "When Adam was giving us the results of my tests…how did you feel?"

Jesse stopped for a moment to really think. What did I feel? "I guess, surprised at first. Bren and I thought that's what was going on when Adam called you. By the time I got to the lab and you told me that was what you were there for I guess I was excited."

"And when Adam told us I wasn't?"

"Well,…it was a let down." Jesse saw the sad look that crossed her face before she stepped away from him. "Hey. It's ok." He moved to embrace her as he pulled her back to his chest. "It just shows that whenever it does happen I'll be happy. I wasn't sure about that after Bryan gave you such a hard time at birth. I loved Tracy already but…I didn't want to do that to you again. I was so scared I was going to lose you that day. So…we just go with it. When it happens we'll be happy. The rest we'll deal with." He smiled at her as she turned in his arms. When she was facing him he hugged her and whispered in her hair, "I love you." He pulled back and gently kissed her lips…but just at the moment he was deepening his kiss…they were startled apart by…a baby crying.

Adam and Evie arrived at the hotel and stood at the door awaiting an answer. "Thank you," he smiled at her as he fixed his jacket. Evie caressed his mind as she looked at him. After last night, their bond had been stronger, words were unnecessary.

A woman opened the door and welcomed Dr. Kane back formally. The nurse, Evie thought. As she walked into the suite a door opened from the opposite end. She turned to see a lovely woman walking slowly toward them.

Adam rushed to her side, kissed her cheek and put one arm around her as she held his other hand for support.

Dria's heart leaped within her. She had her Adam back and she was soaking in his presence. All those tortured years in an unloving marriage; years spent in regret over choices that left her lonely, without the only family she had. Even as she leaned into him she reproved, "Adam, really. You needn't worry so. You'll spoil me like this."

"I'm not worrying. I've just missed you so much that I want to hold your hand." His smile oozed charm as she smiled back at him and just shook her head.

When she settled onto the sofa with him beside her she reached a hand to his cheek and looked sadly into his eyes. "You were such a charmer when we were teenagers. I've missed so much."

"Not anymore," Adam smiled at her as he stood. He turned and extended his hand to Evie who was quietly standing to one side, watching. He smiled to her as she nervously walked to his side. "Dria," he turned. "This is Evie, my wife," he proudly declared.

Dria reached out a hand as Evie stepped closer, took it and sat by her side. "Adam, she's beautiful," Dria looked to Adam and saw his love for his wife in his eyes.

"Thank you," Evie whispered as she glanced to Adam then back to the woman at her side. "I'm so glad to meet you. Adam's told me how much you mean to him."

Dria reached out and hugged her. "Well, he only told me a little about you last night. I look forward to getting to know you much better. He told me you both have a daughter. I can't wait to meet her."

"Well, actually," Adam began as he touched Evie's shoulder, "we have more news on that front."

Dria's eyes opened wide as she looked excitedly from Adam to Evie. "You're…" she saw Evie nod and pulled her into a hug, "Oh, Adam, you didn't tell me, yesterday."

"I didn't know myself until I got home last night. I told Evie about you and…she told me about the baby."

"Congratulations are in order, then," a familiar voice called from the door.

Adam stepped away from the women and shook John's hand as he approached. "Thank you."

"This must be my aunt." John stepped politely in front of her as she rose. He took her hand and kissed it lightly as Adam made the introduction.

"Darling, he's even more like you than I thought." Evie smiled at her husband.

John stopped but didn't release her hand. "You look familiar." Recognition dawned quickly, "You were at the lecture, yesterday. You're a doctor, too?" He saw Evie look toward Adam, as she nodded and looked down in embarrassment. Confused, he looked to his uncle then his mother.

Dria was quick to pick up on the feelings and discern the situation. "Oh, Adam…" she breathed. "You didn't tell her about us until last night. Evie, I can only imagine what you must have thought when you saw John."

Evie sat back down as John released her hand and stepped back. "Well, I was taken by surprise," Evie understated.

"Surprise?" Dria exclaimed. "I would have been devastated." The look on Evie's face confirmed her thoughts. "Oh no. You were, weren't you?"

"I was given a list of the doctors who registered. I would have noticed a Kane on the list." John moved to a chair and sat.

"The poster with your picture and name caught my eye. I …panicked and registered under my maiden name." Evie shyly looked at the older woman by her side. "I jumped to conclusions, but Adam explained everything last night."

"It was my fault," Adam confessed. "I should have told her immediately after you'd contacted me but I was so wrapped up in the files you forwarded that I'd hardly spoken to her in a week." He moved to his wife's side and took her hand. "That's in the past now. Evie and I would like you to come home with us for the holidays. I told you about Mutant X last night…and I went home and told them about you."

"They're all anxious to meet you," Evie added.

"I don't know," John shook his head hesitantly. "The trip here took a lot out of mom. I'm not sure she's up to another trip." His concerned eyes fell on his mother.

"Don't be silly. I'm fine, especially now that I have Adam back." Dria smiled at her men.

"No. John's right." Adam agreed. "You're very weak but I have a way to help with that." He retrieved the scanner he brought with him. "John, I won't go against your recommendations," he explained as he returned to the sofa. "Dria's too important to both of us." He smiled at her as he initiated the scan. "I want us in complete agreement about her condition…and her treatment." After a few seconds he read the results and passed the scanner to John who did the same. "She may be able to stand a drive if it isn't too far, but only after a meal and a nap."

"I agree," Adam smiled as he reached out a hand to touch his wife's hair. "But remember I told you that there were many different kinds of mutations?" Adam looked down at Evie and nodded.

Evie turned to face Dria and smiled as she took her hands. "Don't be afraid. Just relax. I promise this won't hurt a bit." Evie closed her eyes and her powers began. Dancing crystals shimmered around their joined hands. When the shimmering faded and Evie opened her eyes again she saw Dria looking around in amazement.

"Mom?"

Dria took a deep breath and smiled, "I feel…wonderful."

Adam handed the scanner to John and indicated that he should run it again. When it was complete he smiled at the confusion on John's face. "How is she now?"

"I don't understand," John handed the scanner to Adam who didn't need to see the results to know what had changed.

"One of Evie's gifts is to heal injury and add to the body's ability to regain strength."

"Everyone in our family has a gift of one kind or another," Evie smiled. "If you begin to tire again before we get home, please tell me and I'll help you."

Feeling much better, Dria insisted on having lunch served to them so she could spend a little time getting to know Evie. They spoke the entire time as the men added comment here and there. Evie told them how she met Adam and how he came running to her rescue, literally. She helped Dria catch up on the adult part of Adam's life.

Dria in turn was able to tell Evie a little about what Adam was like when he was very young. "I remember back when Adam came home for Christmas break one year. Over the summer it was advertised in the town paper that Michael and Carol Kane's son, Adam had graduated with honors and was going to be starting med school. It also printed that Aunt Carol mentioned looking forward to seeing him for Christmas. The handsome picture that appeared with the announcement showed Adam in a suit and tie. I was just starting high school. I was asked constantly when Adam would be home. The school always planned a New Year's Eve party for all the students. That year the Kane home seemed like the high school girls' club for all the girls who visited the house to invite Adam to be their date for the dance."

Adam shook his head and chuckled. "You would bring up that year," he chided his cousin. "I couldn't get a moment's peace that Christmas."

"Adam had so many lady visitors," Dria went on undaunted, "that he had to resort to hiding out where ever he could. Groups of girls would stand at the gate and wait for him to peak out the door or come home from where ever he'd been. He couldn't even walk down the street that year without ending up with at least one escort."

"Dria,…it wasn't that bad." Adam protested as he was feeling increasingly more self-conscious.

Evie chuckled as she saw Adam turning red.

"Wasn't that bad? Adam, don't you remember that one girl? What was her name?" Dria turned for a moment to think. "Katie…Katie…something."

"Dryer," Adam stated just above a whisper.

"Yes," Dria smiled mischievously. "Katie Dryer. She came to the house everyday to talk to Adam."

Evie turned at the sound of Adam's groaning. "What's the matter, Darling. Wasn't Katie someone you wanted to take to the dance?" She teased.

Adam looked up at his wife with a glare.

"Katie was captain of the cheerleading squad and one of the more popular girls in the senior class," Dria added. "She had a nice body and perfectly bleached blonde hair."

Dria paused only a moment when she heard Adam almost choke on his coffee. "I think she thought if she hung around enough, the other girls would get the hint and stop inviting you."

"Did it work?" John asked, amused by the story.

"Not at first. Katie resorted to starting the rumor that she and Adam were an item. That finally did it."

"The only problem," Adam decided to join the story as Dria didn't seem to want to be deterred, "was that she was so convincing…she'd convinced herself. I had to find ways to sneak out of the house when she'd come over. She didn't take hints very well."

"Did you take her to the dance?" John's voice was almost laughing.

"No," Adam shook his head.

"Adam made an excuse about being called back to school to do a lecture."

"You lied?" Evie mocked with a smile.

"It gets worse," Adam stated as he met Dria's laughing eyes. "I left and took Dria with me." He glared at her. "I should have left you home."

"Oh come on. It was fun," she smiled suggestively.

"Only for you. My career was almost killed before it even started. If it weren't for you…"

"Oh, Adam, stop being so melodramatic." Dria turned to Evie, her face suddenly calm and sincere. "Is he always like this now?"

Evie was enjoying this immensely. She sensed joy from Dria, interest and wonder from John but most of all quiet enjoyment from Adam. She knew he was embarrassed but delighted at the same time. She couldn't help playing along. Nodding her head she answered solemnly, "Well, actually he really is very a somber and sober man."

"You poor thing," Dria consoled her. "You have to live with this all the time."

Somber and sober Adam looked into Evie's eyes. wait until we get home, I'll show you somber and sober. Adam spoke menacingly through their bond.

Evie stifled a laugh and turned back to Dria.

"If it wasn't for me, your career wouldn't have gotten off to such an impressive start." Dria looked at him. "How many other doctors save their first patient while they're in jail."

"Jail?" John couldn't take the suspense. "You were arrested? For what?"

Evie's jaw dropped.

Adam turned another glare at Dria then leaned back in his chair. "Go on. Tell them everything. Don't leave anything out, now that you've started."

Dria held up her chin and smiled. "I won't." She turned to address Evie and John. "We did leave. We took Uncle Michael's car and drove to the next town. It was New Year's Eve after all. I wanted to do something. We stopped at a store got some snacks and checked into a motel. The looks we got from the desk clerk as we signed in were comical. After we got settled we called the front to get information on the movie theater and went to see a movie. When it finished we went back to the motel and settled in for the night. We were watching Dick Clark's New Year's Eve show when someone knocked on the door." Dria smiled as Adam shook his head at the memories. "Adam opened the door and two police officers stepped in. It seems the clerk at the front desk was suspicious of a 17 year old boy checking into a motel with a young girl." She paused briefly as they broke a laugh. "It was quite a scene. I was in pajamas…in bed, watching TV. Adam answered the door in basketball shorts and a tee shirt. When they announced that Adam was under arrest for seducing a minor I laughed so hard I fell out of bed."

"It wasn't funny," Adam smirked as he tried not to laugh along with the others at Dria's retelling.

"Yes, it was. It still is," she laughed. "He was desperately trying to explain as they turned him around and put on handcuffs. They waited while I dressed and gathered all our stuff, and then took us down to the police station. They said they traced the car's plates and called the owner. I gave them my school ID and they called my dad.

There wasn't anything we could do but wait for our fathers to show up. They put us in a holding cell. I think they were trying to scare us out of a life of crime. Adam was so mad he wouldn't even talk to me.

"I understand the career killed part but where's the impressive start?" John asked thoroughly engrossed in the story.

"Well, the night shift was light. With the patrol officers out the only ones in the station were two clerks, taking calls and watching us hardened criminals. There were a few others in the cell with us; drunks who were picked up for enjoying the holiday a little too much. Well, two of them thought it was a good idea to try and pick me up. Adam got between us and told them to back off. Of course one didn't listen. He took a swing at Adam and missed. In the process he made contact with his buddy. A fight broke out. Adam pulled me into a corner and tried to shield me from it. The clerks ran in and broke up the fight but in the scramble one had his gun taken." Dria's voice softened. "A shot was fired hitting one of the officer's in the shoulder. It was terrible. I screamed. The other officer quickly got the gun from the shooter and turned it on everyone. He looked at his partner then at Adam. He told us to get him out of the cell. We did and he backed out and locked the door. He went to call for help. Adam told me to find a first aid kit. When the other officer and I got back, Adam was administering CPR. By the time the ambulance arrived, Adam had the man stable, the bullet out and the wound dressed. I was never as proud of him as that moment." She looked at Adam as he met her eyes.

He suddenly glared at her and stood up. "I almost hate to take you home. God only knows what stories you'll tell."

"And I'll enjoy every minute," she sounded defiantly.

Everyone laughed as Adam humfed and turned away. The love of both women for him was obvious…and embarrassing. Adam and John went into another room to discuss medicine and left the woman to their tales. "Tell me more about Genomex." John asked as he closed the door behind him.

Adam turned and looked at him. "What do you want to know?"

"You said they continued your work after you left. They had to have scientists who kept files on their work. Would they have record of what they did to mom?"

"They may have…but all those records were probably destroyed when Genomex was disbanded. The doctors there never did exactly what they said they were doing so I doubt the records would have helped even if they still existed. I don't know what your father was told but …the powers in control at the time…weren't trying to cure sickness. They were trying to create whatever they needed for their agendas. They lied to the patients, the doctors, everyone to achieve what they wanted." Adam turned and was caught surprised by the hard look on John's face.

"For the record, whatever Andrew McDermott was…he was no father."

Adam held the man's glare as he realized there was no love loss or regrets here. He nodded and allowed just the hint of an agreeing smile touch his lips. "Well, I'm glad I won't have to walk on eggs with that subject." He saw John nod and continued. "I've spent all these years since I left Genomex compiling a mutant database to identify and help those who Genomex hurt. It's far from complete. Now with new mutants marrying and the introduction of natural mutants into the equation, the canvas has expanded and the goal of just helping those hurt by Genomex has faded into the larger picture of making a life for all mutants; to live peacefully in a world of people who don't know we exist."

"That's a tall order."

Adam nodded grimly, "Yes, but necessary. There're dangers out there that you wouldn't expect in a million years. Which requires me to ask,…how many people know about your power? Who would have seen you use it?"

John looked down thinking. "Not too many. I thought people in Genomex would have records and know but you just counted them out. I had a friend once as a child, in the first boarding school I went to. Robert and I shared a room for 5 years. A real brother couldn't have been closer to me. I didn't keep anything from him. He's the only one who ever knew. I heard some crazy stories about people being afraid of mutants for one reason or another. I never wanted anyone to be afraid of me. Not a good rep for a pediatrician, so mom and I never told anyone…until you, yesterday."

"Secrecy is essential in our lives. Safety sometimes depends on it. Are you confident in your friendship that Robert wouldn't tell anyone about you?" Adam frowned at the look that crossed John's face next. "John?"

"Robert never told anyone. My secret's safe. A couple of months after I moved to attend med school, I got a letter from Robert's parents. He was killed in an accident."

"I'm sorry," Adam came to his side and put a hand to John's shoulder. Darling, lunch is here. Adam turned and looked toward the closed door then back to John with a smile. "Come on. We're wanted in the other room. Evie said lunch's arrived."

John's face softened to a smile. "I didn't hear anything."

"Healing isn't the only gift Evie has," Adam opened the door for the young man.

TBC