Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men.

We're All Family

Chapter 33

Shalimar walked into the lab with Shawna on her hip. As she got closer she slowed her approach suddenly questioning whether it was such a good idea to give in when her daughter begged to see daddy. "Adam?"

"He's ok, Shal. I took the IVs out. He didn't need them." Adam watched as Evie laid her hand on Brennan's chest.

After a few moments she moved away. "He's better than ok. There wasn't nearly as much for me to do now as I thought."

"Good. I guess you'll want to stay…" He looked at Shal as he tickled Shawna and made her laugh. "We'll go eat something. Call if you need us. Hank's here." Adam took Evie's hand and left the lab.

Shalimar pulled a chair closer to the bed. Sitting down she set the baby's bottom on the bed beside Brennan. "See?" she whispered to her small daughter. "Daddy's home."

"And he'll be just fine."

Shalimar looked up and saw Hank leaning against the door frame. She smiled as he walked closer. "Thank you."

"You needn't thank me, My Dear." Hank reached out and scooped the child up with one large blue hand. Settling her high on his shoulder and allowing her to slide the length of his arm before nestling her against his chest, he chuckled at the way she instinctively knew how to move and react to his play. Hank loved to play with all the babies, once old enough to jostle a bit. Most he had to wait until about six months old. The ferals he knew he could begin earlier. Hannah and Mickey began roughhousing with him when they were four months old. By the time they were six play got too rough for Thomas who was almost 2. He looked up as he heard Shalimar giggle.

"She loves to play with you."

"All the children make me smile in a way no one else can. And the ferals, well…they bring out something special in me." He turned and flipped Shawna up onto his shoulder. "Come, Little One. We'll go play and leave your parents for a while."

Shalimar watched them walk toward Hank's room on the other side of the lab. Turning back to her husband she sighed. It's been a long couple of days. She was worn out from worry and fear. As she sat holding her husband's hand she thought of the way she saw him in the first message. He looked pale and weak; so different from the strength she knew he had. Then that brief instant she saw him while Sissy tried to get him away from Thorne. His head was down on her shoulder; he seemed like there wasn't anything left in him…like he was almost…dead. "Thorne," she whispered as she put her head down against Brennan's side, "if he weren't already dead, I'd…I'd…kill him myself."

"No,…you…wouldn't."

She gasped as she looked up to see her husband begin to blink his eyes in an attempt to open them. "Brennan," his name but a sigh on her lips.

"We're…home?"

"Yeah," she smiled as her tears fell on his hand.

Brennan turned his head as he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. He looked into her shining eyes. He was really home and she was really by his side. "I thought I was dreaming when I heard you and Shawna talking to…was it Hank?"

"Oh, Brennan, I…I thought I was going to lose you." She rose to her feet then put her head on his chest as she clutched his shoulders.

Brennan raised his arms and encircled his wife. I thought I'd never get the chance to do this again. "I almost gave up. I was so weak. I had nothing left in me…but you." Slowly he moved and she helped him to sit upright. He looked at her for a long moment before pulling her closer and sinking his face against her neck and shoulder. They stayed that way…just holding each other…reassuring each and themselves that this was real. It was a soft squeal that finally forced their heads up.

"Look, daddy's up." Hank leaped through the lab and landed beside them. Shawna sailing through the air then landing softly in his arms, giggling.

"There's my big girl." Brennan reached out as his daughter reached for him. He pulled her close for a moment before she wiggled and reached out to touch his face. He smiled as her hand slid over his cheek, nipping at it as it neared his mouth. He nearly cried as she leaned into him and snuggled against his shoulder, falling almost immediately to sleep.

"I thought I sensed you awake," Evie led Adam into the lab.

"I'm sure you had a hand in my recovery." His eyes smiled at her, not yet willing to raise his head from its resting place against his daughter.

"Only a small one. It was John who actually saved you from what I understand."

Adam saw both man and wife turn in question. "Charles has called for a meeting to begin as soon as you're able to attend. You'll get all the details, then. Are you up for a walk to the war room or do you need help?"

"I feel fine now that I've sat here a while." He slipped off the bed slowly so as to not wake the child in his arms.

"You may put her in the crib, here," offered Hank. "I'll set the monitor so you'll know if she wakes."

Brennan reluctantly laid his daughter in the crib. It was too soon to put her down. Feeling the emptiness in his arms he turned and pulled Shalimar close, locking his arm around her waist.

The meeting was called and thanks to afternoon naps and monitors all the adults could attend. Charles led and called for a full report of the mission. Each person spoke filling in events as they happened. Brennan began by confirming everything that was assumed about the tracer on John's car. As the story unfolded the mood in the room varied at different times. With the danger over and everyone home and healthy, though a somber report, there were times when all laughed at certain situations and frustrations and others times when they quietly sympathized with the pain. Each was quick to point out various notable efforts, especially commending the teens for their parts played.

Adam spoke last. "On the ride home, I did what I could to stabilize the injured and keep them comfortable until we landed. The rest is in the medical files in the lab."

Silence engulfed the room after the lengthy re-telling of such emotionally drawing events.

Charles moved his chair forward, the soft humming of the motor calling all attention back to him. "Thank God we have all survived yet another unpleasant mission. Computer, log and save the mission report as recited here." He waited as the computer complied and signaled its completion. "Jesse, please see a copy is sent to Sanctuary." He noted the young man's nod. "Sissy and Jack, you each have appointments in my office this afternoon. We are all in need of rest. I suggest we take advantage of the time allowed to us by the children's naps and each relax in some fashion before dinner. I will be in my office if I am needed." Charles turned and led the still ragged group out.

"Jean," Sissy quietly stopped her as she turned to leave.

"What is it, Sis? Are you feeling ok?" Jean looked at her then in a very motherly fashion put her hand to the young girl's forehead.

Sissy smiled slightly at the move then shook her head. "I'm fine. I just…When we were still trapped…Adam told us about the message you got…They showed you a picture of the guys and…um…me. Can I…um…?" Sissy couldn't look at her. She put her head down, knowing she couldn't keep her shame from showing on her face.

Jean tenderly put a hand to the young girl's shoulder. "Sissy, listen to me. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. This was a mission. Sometimes things happen that aren't always comfortable on missions, but are usually necessary for safety."

"Yeah, that's what Adam said." She still didn't look up.

"Come here, and I'll replay the message. There was nothing to it really." Jean brought up the records and programmed the replay.

In a moment the screen displayed the room, Sissy never wanted to see again. A shiver ran down her spine as she once again saw Brennan chained in the water. She watched as Jack and John moved into their defensive positions against a yet unseen adversary. Tears began to flow as she felt the captivity all over again.

Jean froze the replay. "See, we hardly saw you. We saw your clothes. The first thought was of you being…hurt. But then when we put together what we knew about everyone and the situation and the clues in the picture, we figured out pretty quickly that Brennan must have disabled your governor but in the process you went into shock. With Jack and John's medical training, they would have recognized it right away and known exactly what to do. And I'm very sure it was all professional."

Sissy looked up into Jean's eyes. Nodding her head she turned her back to the screen. "You're right. Adam told me about all the same things. I just was so embarrassed when I found myself naked…and then worse when I found out you all knew. I had to know what everyone here saw."

"It's ok. I would've wanted to see it, too. Do you feel better now?" She smiled as the girl nodded and smiled back. "Good. Now I think you have an appointment with the professor. Run along and don't keep him waiting."

When Sissy got to the professor's office the door was closed. She hesitated before she raised her hand to knock. Before she got the chance to rap, a voice in her mind instructed her to enter. As quietly as she could she opened the door and peeked in. Jack and the professor were sitting face to face, both with their eyes closed. Without a sound she entered and closed the door behind her then just stood and waited.

In a matter of seconds, both men opened their eyes. Charles turned and smiled at the young girl. "Come, Suzanne. Sit by Jack."

Sissy saw Jack's head snap around. He wasn't aware of her entrance. She tried to smile at him and moved slowly to his side. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Yes. I wanted to discuss this mission as it applied to you personally. Jack and I discussed his part. I also checked him for residual affects of the governor you were forced to wear. Not being a mutant I didn't want to overlook the possible emotional affects it might have."

"Is he…" Sissy turned a concerned look to her best friend.

"I'm fine," Jack assured her.

"Yes, he is. And from the report his actions while on the mission were commendable."

"He was wonderful, Professor." Her bubbly self seemed to be making a re-entry.

"As were you, I'm led to understand. Adam tells me you knew just what to do to help when Brennan…needed the most. I have observed over the years that you are a very quick learner and though you are still young you have matured a great deal. You acted with courage and determination in your part to ensure the team's safe completion of this mission." He smiled as she looked at her hands in her lap and blushed. "I am very proud of both of you. Though it is my hope that you never be put into any dangerous situations, our reality is often harsh. It may be necessary for you to face a mission again and in that light, I am instructing Scott to arrange for your full training…as X Men." He fought to keep his face stern as both teens looked at him with all the excitement of Christmas morning. "It will not be easy. You will be worked hard both academically and physically." Seeing their enthusiasm not waiver in the slightest he softened and smiled. "I know you will both succeed."

"Thank you, Professor," they chorused.

Evening came quickly and faded into a very quiet night as everyone retired for much needed rest.

TBC