X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Sixty Three

Author's Word: Life has taken a very harsh turn of late, fam, so to slap it in the face I got this chapter up as soon as I could after the blows were unleashed. Please enjoy and review!

Dedication: To DJF and JB, my one true mom and my first real true to heart grandma/grandparent ever.

With the use of one highly skilled elbow, the door opened by a margin. Pressing her back against the wood, she made her way into the suite. The regular smile she wore faded into puzzlement at the already made bed before her.

"Maya?"

Glancing back, the teenager discovered the older female in blue crop-sleeved dress headed her way from the walk-in closet. "I saw Wolverine out in the garden. He thought you were still asleep."

Kayla's core swelled at the loaded tray the girl carried. "Did you do this for me? Oh sweetheart, thank you." She took the assortment of food and brought it over towards the bed. "You shouldn't have troubled yourself, though."

"I was already up." Maya walked behind her. "Just thought I'd get the jump on Mother's Day."

Joyful expression in place, Kayla left the tray on the mattress and turned to face her again. "Looks as if I'm getting many early presents." She caressed her abdomen.

"Wow," Maya experienced a tingle upon laying her hand on the swelled stomach herself, "she's rolling around like mad now. I don't know why you didn't figure it out before the doctor did."

"I've always had an odd cycle," Kayla explained. "So when it changes or spots, I hardly notice. Don't get me started with fluctuating weight. It took a while with Jaycee, too. The only reason I knew about Cody before the first trimester ended is because my parents in their grand medical expertise put it together."

A wider smile grew on Maya's face. "And your dad delivered Cody?"

Kayla nodded. "His last act as a physician. I only wish they both could have had more time with him. With all of their grandchildren."

The younger pair of brown eyes seemed to dim. "I know what you mean."

IIIIIII

After he conducted a third check to ensure neatness of all strands, Hank removed the sheet that covered his son's white collared shirt.

"There we are. Two well-groomed McCoy men." The scientist dipped down to connect cheeks with the boy and gaze into the bathroom mirror with him. "Exactly as your grandmother likes it."

"I sure hope she likes it." Tilting his head, Trav examined his reflection. "It's hard being still for hair combing."

"Yes, I know and you were very good for me." Hank retrieved the royal blue blazer, a miniature version of the one he currently wore, and helped Trav into it. "Your jacket, sir." Raising his boy into his arms, Hank returned them to the sleeping area. "I believe we're ready."

Raven finished tying the silk ribbon into Kiki's loose hair and determined, "So are we." Both in white sleeveless dresses covered in periwinkle polka dots, she lifted the toddler to support on one hip. "I think we're going to be the best dressed family at the mall."

Trav asked, "When are we sending Grandma's basket, Mommy?"

"As soon as we're done having our photo taken, we're shipping it out on the fastest delivery," Raven explained. "Then it's sure to arrive by Saturday evening."

Hank said cheerfully, "I know she's eager to see how much you and your sister have grown."

Kiki put forth, "Daddy grown."

Hank smiled at his daughter. "I think I've done all the growing I can do for now. That's why I'm glad to have you two to stay in my mom's good graces." Raven cleared his throat meaningfully and he amended, "Three." He leaned forward to place a kiss on her lips. "My apologies."

Satisfied expression in place, the mutated blonde slung her purse over one shoulder as the McCoy quad filed out.

IIIIIII

"Whoa!" Grabbing hold of the door, Cody flipped himself over into the driver's seat. "Ma, Dad, look at this one."

"Cody, be careful," Kayla admonished.

"Yeah," Logan said, approaching with her, "you break it, we bought it." He ran a hand across the side frame. "Kid's got a good eye, though. What do you think, Fox?"

Kayla gave off a disbelieving shake of her head. "You have to be kidding."

"What? We need a new set of wheels," Logan reminded her. "Unless you want me to go ahead and strap the baby to the back of my hog."

"Cool," Cody reacted approvingly.

Kayla waved a hand over the sleek red vehicle before them. "A Cadillac convertible is your idea of a family car?"

"We've got some extra dough stashed," Logan pointed out. "We're in Ritzville; our kids deserve to ride in style." He touched a hand to her cheek under her hair. "You deserve it." Putting his arms around her, he turned her a bit to face his son. "Right, Cat-Cat? Isn't you ma worth the whole world?"

Arms folded under his chin, Cody leaned over the edge of the car door. "My ma's worth the world, the moon, and every star."

Trying her hardest not to melt into a puddle right then and there, Kayla reclined against her husband. "I still want to shop around more. This is a lot of money."

"We don't have to buy brand new." Logan tapped the Cadillac's hood. "Wouldn't trust these rookies they've got on the job nowadays. Wanted to give you an idea. We'll get used and I'll work on it myself."

Cody beamed at that. "Can I help you, Daddy?"

Logan tossed his hair. "Like you've got a choice. Come on." He lifted his son up to ride on his shoulders. "Let's see about test drivin' one of these suckers."

Keeping one hand steady on Cody's left thigh, he used the spare to latch onto Kayla. It did not take them long to locate a practically panting salesman.

IIIIIII

Five miles behind him, the metal wielder did not enter into a cool-down until he reached the lush gardens that made up the front of the Xavier property. He took a long swig from his water bottle and squirted a portion to relieve his heated sweat covered head. Picking up movement from behind, he promptly spun around but calmed from his defensive stance when his eyes went to work.

"Steve?"

The blonde stopped just short of him. "I'm glad you're up. I think you'll want to call your team together."

Erik narrowed his eyes in puzzlement but indicated for the older man to follow him inside.

After he reached Charles telepathically, it did not take long for the other instructors to gather inside the library. Wiping his entire arm across his face, Alex nearly collided into Hank. When they took their seats, he used the taller male's shoulder to help prop up his own upper body.

Letting off something between a cough and a snarl, Logan shuffled in after his wife. "What's on fire or bleedin' that couldn't wait for high noon?"

Steve addressed them all with, "I must apologize to all of you for disturbing your sleep, but this matter requires your immediate attention."

"Don't worry about it." Emma sent a dainty feminine yawn into her hand. "My infant son would have done the job shortly."

"Yes, I'd heard you'd given birth," Steve recollected. "Congratulations," he looked to Charles as well, "both of you. How is he?"

"Growing more and more every time we turn around," replied Charles pleasantly. "Though I'm certain most of that is in his lungs."

"You know we've got another bun in the oven," Logan brought up.

"What?" Steve's face broke into a grin. "That's wonderful. Absolutely wonderful." He bent over the table to share a handshake with his former military comrade. "Aren't you the sly dog?"

A heavy smugness filled Logan's face. "What can I say? When you got it, you got it…"

Kayla piped up, "Glad I could help in my own small way."

"Hello," Alex spoke loudly, making them all face his way, "class in three hours. Can you cut to the chase already, Captain Wake-up Call?"

Hank patted the blonde head. "Finals are coming."
Returning to the situation at hand, Steve began with, "I've received word about a series of unusual home invasions all within this week." Opening the manila envelope he had with him, he slid the neat stack of papers onto the center of the table. "Monday in upstate New York, 30-year-old Nancy Perkins was attacked in her home between eleven o'clock and midnight. Followed by 26-year-old Lenore Riley in south Manhattan sometime before 2 AM Tuesday. Wednesday at around ten PM east New Jersey it was Keisha Stanton, age 23." He shuffled through the sheets as he spoke. "And finally last night in Edison, New Jersey 28-year-old Gloria Heine. All found severely beaten and the last two will need weeks of hospitalization."

"Oh geez." Alex picked up one paper to review.

Victor took another to study then wanted to know, "Who did this?"

"That's the reason I'm here," Steve said. "The way these homes were penetrated- not a single sign of forced entry."

Emma determined, "It had to be someone they knew. Ex-boyfriends, husbands."

"That's what I thought, too, until neighbors reported not hearing a sound, not even a door or window open or close, until the screaming began. Furthermore," Steve went on, "no burglary took place. In fact, no damage of any kind occurred other than the rooms where the assaults happened."

Hank stated, "No crime scene could possibly be that clean."

Erik then surmised, "Unless we're not dealing with an ordinary human being."

Steve nodded. "I suspect mutant involvement. If that's true and brought to light by law officials…"

Charles filled that with, "Fear of mutants will grow and we'll fall under even greater scrutiny."

Kayla raised, "How do we know for sure these women are connected? The first two attacks alone are too far spread out."

"There is one major connection," Steven informed. "It's been learned that all of them are former patients of Augustine Women's Wellness Center. An asylum in Camden, New Jersey. Police and members of my team have questioned any and all staff members the women had even the slightest contact with. Unfortunately, this isn't anything new. There are documented cases of doctors or even on-duty security becoming extremely… infatuated with female patients in their care."

Logan banged a fist on the table. "We've got to shred this piece of puss before he hurts anymore of them."

"We have a list of other patients here in New York and parts of Jersey and Connecticut," Steve told them. "Tonight we'll have to divide up in order to cover them all."

Charles and Erik shared a glance and the latter responded, "We're in."

"Good," said Alex. "Because I'm seriously over taking the fall for nutjob mutants."

Supporting her cheek with her hand, Kayla gave off a slow shake of her head. "Happy Friday, everyone."

IIIIIII

Bone claws extracting in and out, the orange and black clad mutant paced along the tiled roof.

"Jersey," he scoffed, kicking at a stray piece of debris. "How do we get the hokey spot?"

"Simply lucky I suppose," Professor X responded, fingers at right temple. "Do try to be still. It's difficult enough to shield our position without your distracting restless energy."

Managing to cease movements, Wolverine folded his arms with thoughts straying to their brothers. Naturally, they got to keep guard in the city.

II

Dipping suddenly to get out of the way of a flock of pigeons with a clear time schedule to keep, Magneto watched the birds soar away. Not spotting any new visitors entering the twenty story high-rise, he lowered to rejoin his comrade at the very top of the building.

"Surprisingly low activity for the weekend," the metal wielder noted. His vision settled on the mutant crouched on one knee, gazing over the edge. "I take it you're duty-bound to much more than mutant kind tonight."

"This is how these sons of bitches get their thrills," Sabretooth near growled. "Can't take no for an answer; think it makes 'em big by tossin' women around like rag dolls. Time to make 'em more pathetic than what they already are."

Though Magneto agreed entirely, he could not help part of his attention lingering in Connecticut.

II

"Wish Jam was in the know," Vapor mused. "We're not even far from his hometown. He'd be into this."

"I know." Havok looked to him with a sly grin. "Too bad we can't even hold bragging rights over him for getting to spend Friday night staking out some hot chick." Beast glanced back at him. "You do know some X-Men aren't married, right?"

"It's a great mystery as to why," the scientist replied dryly, crouched along with them in the thick of bushes underneath the wide back window.

Getting near to Havok's ear, Vapor inquired, "So how are you handling having him in on this?"

Havok shrugged. "So long as he remembers we're on a job."

II

Stationed inside the dark gray vehicle, brown eyes peered out through the tinted glass from the passenger seat.

"You sure we don't need more guys on this?"

The one in driver's position replied, "I'd like this particular matter to remain as low-key as possible."

Remaining silent for nearly a full minute, Zaro then put forth, "Are you sure we're doing the right thing?"

Though he had an idea, Captain America still turned to him to ask, "What do you mean?"

"These mutants. All this mess they're causing. Do you really think it's right to go out of your way for them like this?"

"Renegades are the ones causing destruction," the older male emphasized. "You can't begin to try to lump every single mutant together with them. It's all the X-Men can do to try to live their lives and keep their children safe. And need I remind you that two of them served with me during the war?"

Zaro sighed, "I know. I hear what you're saying, too."

"I don't have very much experience at facing bigotry," Captain America admitted, "but you do. Don't wish it on others undeserving."

Nodding to that, the teenager re-fixed his gaze on the window.

II

Eyes shooting open suddenly, the Professor released a mildly pained cry.

"Prof?" Wolverine arrived at his side in an instant. "What is it? Is he hear?"

Before the telepath could answer, a loud shatter seemed to sound all around them. Unleashing both sets of claws, Wolverine took a leap right off the roof and grabbed hold of its edge.

"Wolverine!" Professor X attempted to call after him, "hold on!"

Kicking his boot covered feet forward, the glass smashed and offered him entry. Finding himself inside some sort of deserted hallway, Wolverine allowed his ears to lead him to the struggle. Tearing the closed door down, he sped inside to catch the terrified light-haired petite on the floor by her bed. She tried in vain to block the relentless punches delivered by the assailant over her.

Angered rumblings billowing up from his chest to his throat, Wolverine leapt over and tackled the attacker to the floor beneath him. Claws ready, he started to pierce them towards the back of the neck until the head whipped back. Shining brown eyes and thin lips stared up at him.

Wolverine's own eyes enlarged. "What?" He yanked back the hood, unleashing the lengthy dark hair. "You're…"

Professor X rushed into the room, pausing in place for a moment.

Wolverine inched back as the one beneath him completely dematerialized into a mist that promptly vanished through a window.

Not a word spoken between himself and his teammate, Professor X's attention went to the one clutching her knees on the floor. He gathered the whimpering vessel into his clutch.

IIIIIII

"Another woman is brutalizing them near to death?" Kayla absorbed.

From where she sat beside the older female, Emma's facial expression hardly changed. "Mildly surprising but not at all astonishing."

"Young thing, too." Logan used a shoulder to indicate Alex and Leon standing off to the side together. "Couldn't been much older than these lugs."

"Melissa Vitus." Charles returned to the library with Erik and the tall Captain in tow. The Professor held a beige file up for all to see. "What we gathered from our visit to the asylum. She was sent there for treatment three years ago after slipping into an intense depression brought on by a miscarriage."

"A miscarriage?" Kayla's brow creased. "How old was she?"

"Seventeen," Charles answered, "and five months along. Believed to be the result of rape by an unknown attacker, though it was never proven."

"Or fully investigated," Erik tacked on.

Steve spoke with, "She shared a special ward with her victims for women of lost children."

"None of this is makin' a lick of sense," stated Victor. "If they're all in the same boat, why would she go after them at all, let alone this hard?"

A ponderous Leon inquired, "How did the others lose their children exactly?"

Picking up the short stack of papers left on the table earlier, Hank scanned through the first one. "It says here that Keisha Stanton suffered a psychotic break after a drunken spell left her inattentive to her two-year-old son, who fell down the stairs and broke his neck." Audible cringes echoed throughout most of the room. "As did Lenore Riley when she left her infant daughter inside that car on a humid day; the child suffocated. Nancy Perkins had two children left unattended in the bath—"

"Alright, hold on." Kayla pressed one hand against the table top while using the other to alleviate building pressure near her forehead. "A wellness center? Please explain to me how these women are not in prison."
Hank surmised, "My guess is successful insanity pleas in addition to sympathetic judges who saw them as crestfallen mothers."

"Oh that's a shocker." Logan flapped his arms in irritation. "But God forbid I so much as a raise my voice to my son in the supermarket without every dame in the place givin' me the evil eye."

Bobbing his head in understanding, Leon said, "So Melissa is most likely going after them now as some sort of retribution on behalf of the kids."

"It certainly makes sense," Kayla put forth. "First she's violated with no justice to follow. Then she loses the baby she was carrying and ends up inside that place, treated the same as women who are completely to blame for their children's deaths."

Steve said, "While I can definitely sympathize with her, that doesn't change the fact that—"

"You sympathize?" Kayla cut in sharply. "Are you being humorous?" Darkened brown eyes locked him, she stood from her chair. "How many children have you lost? What do any of you know about—"

Logan's fist came down with a heavy thud on the table. "Kayla." He addressed her through gritted teeth. "Stop."

Returning to herself, Kayla inhaled while laying hand over her the rush in her chest. She darted her eyes one direction and her mouth opened but she spoke not, only blinking.

Emma got to her feet, placing an arm around her.

Countenance remaining even, Victor regarded his sister-in-law with only a pair of kindly brown orbs.

Amongst the lingering silence in the space, Alex looked back a grip on his shoulder. Zaro gestured with his head towards the doors. Deciding he wanted to escape the heavy heat within the room, the blonde walked with him out into the hall.

Facing him, Zaro began, "I want to talk to you. About what…"

At his trailing, Alex took a glance over his own shoulder at Leon stationed outside the library. "I got it, Lee."

"Let Jam have all the fun." Nonetheless, he went back inside.

Setting his gaze forward again, Alex pick things up with, "Anyway."

"I was out of line for coming at you like that in the parking lot."

"No." Alex then stated, "You were a total coward. If you wanted to fight that bad, we could've gone at it. And no, my powers wouldn't have come out once."

"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" Zaro reiterated with clear discomfort. "But I constantly have to watch myself because of who my father is. I know what Kerstin has to go through."

"I hate the way things ended between us," Alex told him. "But my family- my dad- they're everything to me. But I still hope the best for Kerstin. I honestly do."

Bobbing his head once, Zaro said, "I appreciate you not having the cops called in."

"Cops," Alex scoffed. "Not my style. Besides, the combination of my friend and Steve beating your ass is completely priceless. So did he get out that paddle you told me about?"

Actually finding himself lowered several inches, Zaro jabbed a foot out towards the other teen's ankle.

IIIIIII

Speeding across the lawn in lemons-limes themed dress and white flats with pigtails flapping against her back, the girl hurried to the adult pair present near a tree. She only ceased pacing when the masculine arms swept her up for a short spin.

Becky giggled and relaxed her hands on his shoulders. "Why did you want to see me, Uncle Charles?"

"Because we are in great need of the Triad, Princess," Charles told her.

Emma further explained, "Your uncle touched the mind of a young mutant woman, Melissa Vitus. She has to power to dissolve into air, making her all the more difficult to locate. We're going to try to find her together."

Becky understood and said, "Alright."

Charles placed her back on her feet but held onto one hand. He locked appendages with his wife next. Emma and Becky's link-up closed off their small circle. Complete silence filled the area as Charles led them throughout his own mind and their telepathy magnified.

There, Charles alerted them when the honing reached its strongest, she's finally slowed down.

Once they mentally had her, Emma and Charles gathered the older X-Men into the living room.

"We found her," the Professor announced. "In the warehouse district of Jersey City. We have to go after her now while she's worn."

"'Fraid you're one X-Man down, boss." Receiving everyone's attention, Victor stood up straight from where he half-sat on a couch arm. "I've done a lot in my time but Victor Creed does not throw fists with a woman."

Erik responded first with, "If that's your position, we respect it."

"This will not require the full team," Charles assured. "Erik and I can go in alone."

"Good," said Alex. "Because huge scum bags I can handle. Chicks with issues- not my area."

Hank shook his head at him.

As the Headmasters and rest proceeded out, Logan lingered long enough to pat his brother on the back. He then put an arm around his rather downcast wife to walk off.

IIIIIII

Up from sprawling over the lumpy filth coated mattress, she tied on the black boots. Making it over to the mirror that propped against one wall, she took in the cracked reflection of blue jeans and red t-shirt. Getting into the dark leather jacket, she pushed long chocolate brown strands out to fall over her back.

Melissa.

Flesh crawling and ready to strip right off it seemed, she moved about the dilapidated space. When she came back to her original positioning, she gasped at who now stood there. One in a long cape that framed his chiseled form and the other the one she had seen only briefly the previous night.

"Melissa," the Professor rebuked when she attempted to become one with the air around them. "No, you'll hurt yourself."

Magneto caught her as she started to tumble. "Stop this, young lady. You have overexerted your powers enough as it is."

Professor X took to one knee before her. "We are mutants like yourself. We want to help you work through the extreme anger you feel. The pain you have suffered that was never truly touched upon the way it should have been."

The glossed brown eyes only wanted to know, "What can you possibly do for me?"

"First," Bringing one hand forward, the telepath carefully rested it on top of her head, "you must rest, love."

Magneto's grip tightened when she grew entirely lax in his arms. He could hardly believe the brutality unleashed by the closed eye youthful countenance gazing back at him.

IIIIIII

Raven hummed a gentle tune down to her toddler while helping the lethargic hands prop up the sippy cup full of milk. Emma sat across from them with the teenage girls at the island and Kayla hovering by the sink.

"This Melissa girl isn't so out there you know," Raven put forth. "I could see myself going on a violence spree of my own," left a kiss against her daughter's hair, "for the right cause."

"The effects of a lost child are immeasurable," stated Emma, cheek held up by her hand in ponder. "I only hope we can do what we can for her before she takes this too far."

Flipping through a magazine, Cordelia chimed up off-handedly, "Like anyone would even care if it was some girl going after horrible dads."

Maya looked to her right at the extended sounds of running water. "Kayla, are you alright?"

The eldest woman in the room blinked twice. "Yes, sweetheart," she answered, switching off the sink.

Emma placed thoughtful countenance on her.

"You ready for a nap? You going to take a nap for Mommy?" Raven stood with Kiki, gently prying the cup from her lips and rubbing her back. "Let's go lay down." They left the kitchen.

Cordelia glanced back at a murmur from her sister. "Em?"

The blonde announced, "Charles and Erik are back."

The adults came together in the professor's office.

"It will be sometime before she's awake," Charles spoke, seated behind his desk with Erik at his side, "and longer yet before she regains full strength to use her powers. Hank is looking in on her on and off. I've asked Alex to keep the older children playing outside. Raven has Brian, Kiki, and Trav with her."

"What about when she does wake up?" Victor mentioned. "We callin' in Steve?"

Erik answered with, "Let's keep that option in reserve. At least for now."

"What can we do for her?" Emma asked.

Charles said, "Her mind is not insane exactly. She's simply hurt, mentally tormented, and angry- that's the worst offender."

IIIIIII

The eyelids peeled back ever slowly, not wanting to become too jarred from the overhanging lights above. Rushing to an upward position, she immediately regretted it as anguished fatigue coursed throughout her. Once her vision became better restored, she found herself in a medical gown inside some sort of hospital. On the stand separating her bed from the one next to it, she saw fresh clothes neatly folded. Her own also lay folded on a chair with her jacket draped over it.

Managing to stand, she removed the gown and clothed herself in the new articles consisting of beige pants and a lavender blouse. She slipped into the flats she next discovered on the floor. Then supporting herself by the infirmary's walls, she made her way out of the med space.

Raven reacted to her brother suddenly placing down his tea cup. "What's the matter?"

Charles gripped one arm of the sofa in the McCoys sitting room. "It seems our guest has awaken, Baby Blue. Hold on." He sent a mental request to catch up with her to one of the X-Men.

When she at last discovered the stairs leading out of the lower level, Melissa located the back door promptly after. The bright light of day hit her eyes, which eased into the radiance. At the enchanted noise she heard from one distance, she started off for the forest. As she walked closer, the corners of her mouth upturned with delight. Various children and a couple young people not far from her age she presumed ran around together under the trees.

"Excuse me?" She glanced back, relaxing only slightly at the bright faced one who approached her with non-confrontational arms up. "It's alright. My name is Kayla Howlett. You're Melissa?"

After a brief stare-down, she answered, "Yes," then looked to where the playing took place again. "Is this… is this some sort of group home?"

"Well, it's home," Kayla replied, "but it's actually a school." She stepped up behind Melissa and pointed out one small boy with dark hair. "That's my son."

Melissa observed the ball of energy. "How old is he?"

"He'll be eleven soon." Kayla then marveled, "How the time flies."

Melissa faced her again, eyes lowering a bit. "You're having another."

"Yes," Kayla confirmed. "Four months away now." She helped the younger female lay an uncertain hand over her swelled abdomen.

"What are you hoping for?"

Kayla responded, "Healthy." She nodded towards the house. "Come with me. You look like you could use a decent meal."

Unsure as to why, Melissa followed after the woman without argument. Once back in the unbelievably sized home, they went into the kitchen. It took Kayla no time to throw together ingredients for chicken vegetable soup.

"Would you like some tea or water?" Kayla peered over at the girl who's attention seemed to float about everywhere. "Melissa?"

"What?" She turned to her, shaking her head to clear it. "Oh, water please."

Kayla carried over a glass along with a piping hot bowl of the soup. While Melissa ate hungrily, she left a hand on her head and ran fingers through the deep brown strands.

Finally putting the spoon down, Melissa asked, "Why did they bring me here?"

"The two men you met run this school," Kayla explained. "They brought you here to help you. We all want to help."

Shaking her head again, the young woman stated, "No one can help me. There's only one thing I care about anymore."

"Melissa," Kayla pulled out a chair to sit beside her, "why do you go after these women? Is it all hatred at their actions? Envy at what they had but threw away?"

Melissa placed a sudden tight lock on the spoon. "He made me do it. He made me but no one believed it; especially them." Kayla only watched her as she went on. "I tried to hide it but they found out I was pregnant. I woke up one day and that- that doctor," the word filled her tone with disgust, "was over me. I couldn't move. It hurt like nothing I'd ever felt."

Kayla's grimace only shown in her eyes as she determined, "It was no miscarriage, was it?"

She stared down into the remaining soup. "I wanted to hold her so bad. Just once…"

Kayla slipped an arm around her. "Oh honey."

"Nancy, Cecile, Keisha- they knew what they were doing. They're the reason all those kids died." Fire brown eyes gazed towards Kayla. "Their own children. And they got away with it. I won't stop until they get theirs, even if it's the last thing I do with my worthless life."

"Melissa," Kayla started.

Her fingers went to pinch her nose. "Do you have any aspirin?"

"Just a moment." Kayla got up to go over to a drawer. "I understand more than most what you're feeling, every bit of it. But honey, you have to—" She picked it up out of the corner of her eye the moment the younger female shot up. She grabbed her wrist before she could make it out the door. "Melissa, no," Kayla spoke firmly, "stop it."

"Please," Melissa used all force to tear away from her, "if you understand, let me go." She darted off again.

"No!" Kayla hurried after her. "Logan!"

As if on cue, the man trampled down the stairs in moments, blocking off the hastened one's path. "Okay, girly. We all know what you're after and it's either us or a cell. Either way, you're not goin' out there again."

Melissa glanced back and forth between the Howletts before shooting off for the back of the house now. Logan rushed behind her, snatching her up by wrapping arms around her middle.

With the greatest effort, Melissa disappeared in his clutch and waved right through the door.

"Damn it!" Logan snarled, charging forward. "I'm goin' after her. Get the others!"

While Kayla signaled Charles mentally, she made her way down to the infirmary. Finding Melissa's things still there, she lifted the jacket. Searching the pockets, she retrieved a piece of doubled over paper.

IIIIIII

Leaving the short book on the desk, she got to her feet removing the robe to stand in her blue pajamas. The shoulder-length blonde started to pull back her bed linens when the night air sent a shiver through her. Walking across the room, she shut the one open window.

She then let off a shriek upon turning back. "Melissa? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

"Who else would it be, Cecile?" Melissa slowly strolled towards her. "I heard you were on a clean bill of health. So where's your husband?" She stopped short. "Or does he no longer want to be with the little cunt who "accidentally" ran over his children in the driveway?"

"Get out of my house," the now irate woman ordered.

Melissa's responded consisted of a sudden kick to her stomach. As soon as Cecile hit the floor, she recovered from the shock quickly enough to scramble away. Though Melissa remained at her heels, she managed to race through the halls untouched. However, the moment they reached the stairs, Melissa sent her tumbling with a forceful shove.

With a pained outcry, Cecile reached the straight down bottom and got up with a limp. Melissa continued after her into the kitchen, where Cecile threw the back door open and ran out screaming into the yard.

A yank at her hair proved the only thing capable of making Melissa halt in place.

She gazed back with rage filled eyes until she realized who'd tugged on her. "Mrs. Howlett?"

"That's enough," Kayla said strongly. "You've acted out your justice. It's time to stop this." An unsure Cecile hurried back into her house and Kayla grabbed Melissa, shoving her to keep her at bay. "I said that's enough! Look at you." She glared at the seething girl. "You're weak enough as it is. Are you going to kill yourself in this pursuit?"

Melissa replied plainly, "You say it as if I have anything worth being here for!" She then gasped.

Kayla veered around to see that Cecile had stepped back out, now with a shotgun aimed.

"Little bitch!" she shouted before squeezing the trigger.

In an instant, Melissa dissipated and reappeared before Kayla. The shot echoed across the air as it practically exploded throughout her stomach.

"Melissa!" Kayla took hold of her as she collapsed, blood immersing her entire lower form in thick red.

At another outcry, this one louder than before, Kayla looked up and took in Cecile dropping to the ground. The Indian woman then gazed upward as a caped man on a silver disk lowered towards them.

"Relax," he lowered the massive gun he'd fired, "that wasn't a death shot. She'll be fine once the agony subsides in an hour or so. But what's this?" He hopped down from his strange flying contraption to look Melissa over. "She'll never make it to a private hospital but I'll have to try."

Kayla held the girl closer. "No."

"Do you want to battle out over this, madam, or do you want to save her life?"

Without a word, Kayla laid a hand over Melissa's stomach. Sending out her mutated energy, the remains of the bullet flew out and the wound slowly closed.

Letting off a shudder, Melissa's eyes became reanimated. "Miss," she gazed up, "Mrs. Howlett? I… I don't know what…"

Kayla raised her into an embrace. "Shhh, calm down. Be still."

Their male on-looker only blinked. "Well, that was…" He formed a smile and held out a hand. "I don't believe we've met, ma'am. My name is Estevan Cortez."

An unimpressed Kayla replied, "Somehow I'm not surprised." She then picked up familiar voices approaching. "I got her mostly stable but she must be looked at by a physician. Take care of her."

"On my honor." Estevan collected Melissa into his arms. "Don't worry, dear. You're in the best of hands." He flew upward with that.

"Kayla!" Scent filling his nostrils, Wolverine barreled through the yard.

Kayla stood, going into his embrace. "I'm alright."

"What are you doing here?" Professor X stooped down to check on the woman lying on the ground. "What happened?"

An air-bound Magneto came down to them, remaining hovered. "This particular explanation will have to wait. Police are less than three blocks away."

After securing Cecile to her living room sofa with the shotgun on the coffee table, the X-Men took their prompt leave.

IIIIIII

Never losing sight of the little boy until he completely drifted off, Kayla leaned in to kiss Cody's cheek. She watched him another minute then returned to her own quarters, where her husband waited on the side of their bed.

"So you found the address after we left," he recalled. "Why didn't you call in by communicator?"
Kayla glanced back from straightening things at her vanity. "I was certain you were already too far away."

"Right. So, we're already too far away, but instead of givin' the location to Vic or Alex or anybody else not in your condition, you decide to follow. Not only that but you somehow beat us there while you're in our truck and we're in the X-Van."

"I knew the exact coordinates," Kayla reminded. "You had to follow Charles' telepathically."

"Woman," no humor or good-nature could be found on Logan's face as he got to his feet, "don't you part your lips to feed me another fairy tale. I get that you felt for that girl. I definitely get wantin' to help her. What I don't get and won't accept is you lyin' to me then goin' after her yourself. You are pregnant, Kayla. So you put yourself and our child in harm's way."

"She protected me, Logan," Kayla emphasized. "Melissa got in the way of me getting shot. She is not Tobias Evander, completely lost in getting as much vengeance as possible. You can't understand her feelings."

Logan stared at her crossly. "Excuse me?"

Realizing her words, Kayla went to grasp him at the bicep. "Logan."

He moved out of her touch. "So you do remember me. The one who had to sit there holdin' her while she died, unable to do a damn thing to stop it? All I wanted to do was roll over and never get back up. But I didn't get that option. Instead, I looked after you and stayed up with Cody because he couldn't stop shakin' every night. Remember that?"

"I'm sorry," Kayla's voice choked as she pressed hands against his chest, "I'm so sorry, baby. I don't know what's come over me." A slow stream of tears started down her cheeks. "Ever since Steve brought this to us, it's just…" She moved over towards the bed. "My powers healed Melissa tonight but what if… what if I'd killed her, too?"

Logan came up behind. "Stop it." He turned her around to hug close. "You ain't kill nobody. You hear me? Nobody. You did everything you could. It was taken out of our hands. I don't want you so wrecked with this guilt that you do something crazy. You're a strong woman, Kayla, but if you don't let this go it'll eat you right up inside."

"Mama?" Both their attentions fell to the one in the doorway. "What's wrong, Mama? Why're you cryin'?"

Kayla went to work cleaning her face with her hands while Logan walked over to hoist the boy up.

"Your mama's just fine, son." Logan pecked him between his neck and ear, carrying him back over. "Just been a long day that's all." He stood him up on the bed.

Cody wrapped arms around his mother. "It's okay, Mama."

Kissing his nose twice, Kayla whispered, "I love you… I love you," and left a tight lock around him.

IIIIIII

Reacting to his ringing telephone, Erik picked it up with a short, "Hello," while keeping eyes on the paperwork before him.

"Erik, it's me," Steve's voice sounded. "Have you seen tonight's news? There was another attack on a former patient of the asylum. Now there doesn't seem to be a lead on Melissa Vitus anywhere."

"Yes, I'd heard that myself." Erik reclined in his desk chair. "Odd…"

IIIIIII

When the double doors divided, Estevan stepped inside one of the craft's many common spaces. He walked over to where his daughter and new arrival shared a chair as well as a book between them. Both dressed in enchanting spring ensembles.

"Anne-Marie, my love," she glanced up at her father's voice, "think you could go pinpoint your brother for me?"

"Yes, Papi." Anne slid off the chair but turned back a moment. "See you later, Melissa."

"Bye." The older female waved after her. She faced Estevan. "She is the sweetest thing."

"The apple of my eye." Estevan then sobered. "We're nearing now. Are you sure you're up for this so soon?"

"Absolutely," Melissa confirmed. "After all, it is a special occasion. Unlike the last time I saw my folks."

"You'll have to excuse me if I let my emotions get ahead of me." From behind his back, Estevan raised his energy weapon. "I get such a joy out of family reunions."

IIIIIII

Kneeling before the seated woman, Leon said, "You'll have to bear with me." He handed her a sparkling pink gift bag. "I've never actually had a mom so I want to relish in this just a tad."

"Well, what do we have here?" Emma pulled out the first item, a piece of paper. "Is this a picture of our family?"

Leon nodded. "Please notice how no one in the picture resembles anyone residing in this home currently."

Emma smiled and moved onto the next thing. "A clay hand print?"

"Entirely useless but of immeasurable value for some reason."

When she reached the bottom of the bag, Emma pulled out a small box.

She opened it with a light gasp. "Earrings? Leon, they're beautiful. Thank you, sweetheart."

"I wasn't going to be a complete deadbeat." He reached over, pecking her cheek.

"I don't care what anyone says. I love my clay handprints." Raven held up the pair she'd received from her own children.

Kayla laughed lightly. "You've all been extremely generous today."

Cordelia said, "It's simply nice having moms to honor."

Charles stepped into the living room doorway and stood in an elegant pose with his hands together. "Ladies and children, if you please, kindly join us for the rest of today's festivities.

Following the English gentleman into the dining room, the women took in a pink and white cake large enough to take over nearly half the table. In thick icing the center of the dessert read: For Raven, Emma, and Kayla: Our Amazing X-Moms.