A/N: Welcome back to the 714 Universe! Canucklehead Cowgirl and I have been going strong on this universe for years now, and we're on Volume 36 now; can you believe it? Reading order is on my profile.

Chapter 1: "New Semester, New Beginnings"

Elin had just gotten back from Japan with her family. The Howletts had taken the entire summer to set up the satellite for refugee mutants in Asia with Hisako, and after Noh went through with a security protocol to make it safer for wayward mutants, it was finally done. And operational — which was kind of a miracle with the way Japanese politics were involved.

It had been a long, mostly peaceful summer, and she'd loved every minute of it, even though she felt bad when the time came for her to break up with Takashi, even if the fling had only lasted the last couple of weeks of vacation. Of course, Kitty had been sure to tease her mercilessly on the grounds that she was following in her father's footsteps — leaving broken hearts in her wake across the globe.

When the family of ferals got back to Westchester the day before school started, Elin absolutely was happy to be home. But with all the kids coming in for school from all corners, she didn't really want to see everyone from the old group like she had when she was smaller.

The little meet ups over the summer had been kinda nice … but so had the isolation, peace, and quiet. Her best friends had been gone, studying abroad for what had felt like forever, but even when they'd come to visit, much of Elin's time while they were there was dedicated to the school — furthering the team and Xaviers as a whole. Even she and Krissy had only managed a few days together with their siblings during the full two weeks the Wagners had come to play.

Not only that, but her friends all seemed to know what they wanted to be, and Elin didn't really want to get in the middle of whatever it was they were up to now. It felt like everyone had found their path — and in most instances, it was as far away from the team as possible. All while Elin was simply working with the team and trying to decide if she even wanted to be a hero. Or if she had any other options. Missions and team practices had been her safe place where no one bothered her with talk about the fiasco with Nolan, so she'd thrown herself into it deeper.

As far as other options went, though, it didn't help her fight with indecision that everyone in and around the team seemed to assume that was what she should do, and while many of the other students got lots of ideas from the teachers at Xaviers on what else they could do — and where their strong points were — Elin … felt like she had not gotten that same level of counseling.

Her brother was set. James had started a little internship of sorts before the vacation and was returning to it already. Easy work for a kid that had already managed several degrees and was working alongside Bruce Banner and Tony Stark — and causing more trouble than either of them quite knew what to do with. Her little sisters … well. Sadie had shown a talent for dance early on and had already decided that she wanted to be a professional dancer, and Malin was young enough that she simply refused to discuss anything of that nature.

Which made Elin feel like her only route in life was to keep up the 'family tradition'. But she wasn't on the senior team yet. And before she ended up there, she decided to step out of Xaviers to go to the school in Salem Center, just to try it out again. Her attempt at a different school in LA had been less than fruitful, and she still didn't feel as if she was smart enough to go to Chicago with the brainiacs.

She was in her room unwinding when she heard the moment Krissy and Chance returned from Europe, laughing loudly and having a great time. Very suddenly, she didn't really want to be around anyone, and before they could show up and say hello — and she knew they'd teleport in at any moment — she slipped out of the window and made a rush for the treeline. She had no idea why she did it, only that she wanted to be alone far more than she wanted to listen to an overdramatic retelling of how amazing the travels were. Especially when Elin had spent her summer working.

She got into the trees without any trouble, and as far as she knew, no one had even spotted her, so she disappeared into the woods to keep her peace and quiet for a bit longer.

Elin was still fighting the thirteen-hour time difference after spending months in Japan, so when morning came on the first day of school, she was understandably worn out. According to her body clock, it was more like eight o' clock at night rather than seven in the morning.

She'd planned on taking her father's Jeep to school — and even had the keys in one hand and her hot green tea and jasmine in the other — when Krissy called out for her to wait by teleporting a few feet in front of her and tackling her. She very nearly dropped her tea.

"Welcome back," Krissy said, squeezing Elin tightly. "How was the rest of your time in Japan?"

Elin smirked and hugged her friend just as tightly. "I loved it," she told her. "I thought James was going to completely lose his mind with Dad making him toe the line after the Summers boys left, but … really. It was fantastic. I may have to move there. Anything happen in Europe that you forgot to tell me about?"

Krissy gave Chance a pointed look, but he sort of shook his head with a rueful smile. "Not really?" he said. "I mean, most of it was in the emails."

"You know: daring rescues, romantic getaways…" Krissy said, grinning widely.

"Oh yeah. Lots of that, I'm sure," Elin said with a nod. "Sounds perfect for the two of you."

"Would have been more romantic with someone else, huh, Chance?" Krissy said, still with that same grin.

Chance rolled his eyes. Hard. "Seriously, Krissy?"

Elin's nose was scrunched up, and she was frowning Krissy's way. "You really are weird sometimes."

Krissy shrugged. "No, really, I told him he should really ask someone out this year, but he's being a pain…"

"What are you talking about?" Elin said. "Why would he ask someone out?"

Chance looked between the two girls for a moment with dawning comprehension. "Wait. I thought… Krissy told you?"

"Told me what? That you decided to go full on swingers while you were in Europe? No. No, that is probably something she didn't want in writing."

"We haven't been dating for months now," Chance explained, looking over at Krissy like she'd totally dropped the ball. "I thought she told you."

Krissy flushed purple. "It was… it wasn't like it was one specific day that we said 'we're not dating anymore'. It was more… gradual…"

"Well. Okay then." Elin nodded once, then shook her head at the news before continuing in a breath mostly to herself. "Always the last to know. Situation normal."

Krissy looked incredibly apologetic and very, very bright purple. "I …"

But Elin held her hands up quickly. "No. It's fine. I just didn't know. Not important anyhow."

"It is, though!" Krissy said, her eyes wide. "Oh my gosh — we — I just — I totally fail at best friend communication! I'm a hypocrite!" She threw both arms in the air and then covered her face with both hands. "It … it … it wasn't even really… It was more awkward before we broke up and… and…"

"It's fine, guys. It doesn't matter," Elin said, already chalking it up to the usual treatment she'd been getting from those she was on decent terms with. "Really. Wasn't my business anyhow."

Chance cleared his throat as he looked between the girls and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, El. I thought you were in the loop."

"Nope. Definitely out." Elin couldn't help but glance over at the clock and break up their chat, though. She was going to be late if she wasn't careful. "Well, this is great, and … it's nice to see you guys …. but I have to get to class, so …" Elin shrugged and picked up her travel mug. "I guess … I'll see you around."

"You're not going here?" Chance asked as the smile slipped off of his face. "I thought you were going to go out for the senior team when you graduated."

Elin shrugged and kept walking for the garage. "Doesn't mean I have to go here. Not exactly a friendly environment for me, so..." She turned to walk. "I'll catch you two later."

"Let us drive you. Or at least let him," Krissy said, teleporting the short distance just because she could. "Chance isn't going to Canada until this weekend. No reason he couldn't drive you for the first week."

"Not necessary. I … was just going to take Dad's Jeep …" Elin said before she gave them both a tight kind of a smile. "Maybe I'll see you after school. We can probably hang out at some point before you go north, though."

"Come on, El," Chance said with a winning smile. "I've got just the one week here; let me drive you. We can catch up. I promise I won't run us off the road," he teased.

She thought about it as Krissy danced in place — making it clear that there would be more drama to deal with if she didn't agree. She let out a weary sigh and tossed the keys his way. "Fine. I'll probably be too tired to drive myself home after school anyhow, and you're abandoning us for greener pastures soon."

"Just for the one year," Chance said as he caught the keys.

"Right. You mean in addition to all the time you were in Europe already?" she said, nodding to herself.

"I'm still going to come visit my favorite people on weekends — as often as I can," Chance said as they headed for the garage. "I mean, it's not as easy as teleporting out with Krissy and the bamfs, but worth it to see the family."

"Just an excuse. You like to fly anyhow," she said, though she didn't believe that he was going to keep up anything like returning to Westchester unless he had to.

"I do," he agreed. He opened her door for her and grinned as she climbed in. "Besides, like you can talk. You're trying new things too."

"Tired of the rumors and looks I get here," she explained.

"What kind of looks?" he asked, raising an eyebrow her way.

"You're kidding right?" Elin said, frowning at him, but when he looked sincere, she shook her head. "For the sake of not bringing up too much stupid, let's go with the 'your parents are terrifying' looks."

"Shameful. They should be terrified of you," he teased.

"That's part of it," she admitted. "Especially after I started destroying the rumor spreaders from the other crap that is actually more bothersome to listen to."

"Not too late to come up north with me," he offered. "I mean, there's still going to be some of that, but without our parents there…"

"With the way Mac and Heather were beaming at me, it'd be bad in a whole different way," she said.

Chance shrugged as he thought it over. "Point," he conceded. "Still. I want to hear about it, huh? When I come down weekends. I'm sure you'll knock Salem Center dead."

"We'll see how it goes," she said, looking out the window. "I'm reserving judgement."

"And I'll tell you how Canada goes. You've still got another year," he said. He grinned quietly for a bit before he added, "And then, you know, it's missions and world-saving from then on."

"Right," she agreed quietly. "That's what it'll be."

"Come on. To hear Krissy tell it, it's all derring-do and swashbuckling for the rest of our lives," he teased.

"That's what she's looking for," Elin replied. "Maybe she'll find it … maybe she'll make her own drama … either way…."

"Either way, you both know my number if you need it," he said, tipping his head her way. "For swashbuckling — or whatever."

"I'll keep you on speed-dial," she replied with a little smirk.

He just grinned at her after that, and it wasn't too long before they were pulling up to the high school. "See you after class," he said. "I want to hear about it, really. Kind of novel for our group — the normal high school thing."

"Sure. Nothing like going as low-key as possible."

Meanwhile, classes were starting up in Westchester, and there was the usual flood of new faces, as always, but when Krissy was grabbing a bite to eat at lunch, she was surprised to see a familiar-looking blonde also making himself something in the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" Krissy blurted out, recognizing the young man from Norway but not quite placing his name.

He looked up and broke into a smile when he saw her — though she noticed that he was wearing long sleeves and gloves, for some reason. "Ah! It's my rescuer," he said, the smile widening. "I was hoping I'd run into you here - so I could apologize for what happened this summer and maybe start again." He stuck out his hand for her to shake. "I'm Christian."

"Krissy," she said, gently shaking his hand. "And you really don't need to apologize. I'm an X-Man. We've seen a lot of kids getting screwed over by weapons programs like that. One of my best friends destroyed, like, half a dozen huge government facilities just last year working for Russia. Not like it's your fault people are stupid."

Christian smiled and nodded. "Well, I still owe you an apology. It wasn't a very nice introduction."

"No, not really," Krissy had to agree as she sat down with her sandwich and waited for Christian to do the same. She watched him peel off his gloves and gently set them aside and then tipped her head to the side. "What's with the gloves?"

Christian raised an eyebrow her way and then looked down at the gloves and let out a sigh. "I can't control my powers, and they involve touching people, so as a rule, I try not to touch people."

"Oh." Krissy nodded. "Well, what happens if you do?"

"They see things that aren't there."

Krissy nodded thoughtfully. "Then I won't shake your hand unless you're wearing gloves."

Christian let his shoulders drop as he nodded. "Yes, it's a little bit isolating, but it's safer for everyone involved."

"The Norwegians didn't want you to control your powers, did they?" Krissy asked with her head tipped to the side, her swaying tail betraying her interest in the boy's story.

He shook his head. "Why would they want to?" he pointed out. "I can disorient, confuse, practically paralyze people. They would just send me ahead of a pickup team and then grab whoever I touched."

Krissy frowned and then reached over to rest a hand on his arm in a comforting gesture. "Well, you've come to the right place to figure that kind of thing out," she promised.

"That's what everybody keeps telling me," he agreed with a nod.

Krissy gave him an encouraging smile over the top of her glass of water. "Don't worry," she said. "You've just never had to control it before. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it really quickly. I mean, my friend Charlie had to learn how to turn her powers off to keep from going pretty much insane — I know it can be done."

"You don't have to turn yours off, do you?"

"Ah, no. I have to concentrate to 'port."

"Then you don't know…" He let out a breath and shook his head. "We'll just see how this goes. Honestly, I just want to learn how to use them instead of letting them run my life."

"Like I said: you'll figure it out in no time," Krissy assured him with a bright smile.

"Thanks."

James was more than happy to get back to work at Stark's building. The jet-lag factor actually helped him when it came to dealing with Tony and those closest to him, anyhow.

He didn't get into the tower until almost ten - and even though he was running thirteen hours ahead of New York, he'd been in the habit of staying up way too late, so in this case, it worked for him.

He didn't pay any attention to the new kids poking around. He had his own lab, after all, so there wasn't any reason to intermingle unless he wanted to. And he didn't. Most of the kiss-ups that went through on their internships were mooney-eyed at the idea of being around the Avengers, and James had seen it all. And been bored with it since his second week of being Stark and Richard's little golden boy.

Of course, it hadn't helped one bit that most of the time, the interns thought he was an intern of some sort himself, and no matter how many times Tony would send him someone to assist him, it never took any time before he was telling them to just go get reassigned.

Coffee in hand, James headed up to where he'd been tinkering before his break. He was just getting settled in when Tony came by with a grin. "Been here long?"

"Nope," James said, shaking his head lightly. "We just got in late last night. Slept in."

Tony grinned crookedly. "About time you got with the program."

"What program? Sleep till noon and then tinker up whatever the hell I feel like?" James asked, frowning at him.

"Exactly. All we need to do now is set you up with a lovely assistant."

"No," James said, shaking his head. "Every time you send one of your interns in here, they think I'm the guy that's picking up or taking notes. No."

"Sooner or later, big man, you're going to need the backup, and it was totally part of your package deal anyhow," Tony told him, rapping his knuckles on the counter and then pointing his way. "Mark my words. We just need to make sure you have the right fit, that's all."

"Nice to see you too, Tony," James called out as Tony finally left him to get back to work on the updated comms system he was making for the team. James hadn't said anything to Scott beyond it needed upgrading, but the truth was the old system was bulky — and had a small loophole that could be hacked into — so … he figured he'd just close that loophole for him.

Of course, he knew that Tony wasn't going to just leave him alone after he'd been gone for most of the summer, so he wasn't surprised in the least when he returned. James was shaking his head before he even got all the way through the door, because, of course, Tony had brought someone with him. He decided to pointedly ignore him as Tony and his soon-to-be assigned assistant walked up behind him.

"I know I didn't sneak up on you," Tony said.

"No, you did not." James was still trying to ignore him, but he knew it was a losing battle, and he automatically got to his feet when Tony clapped a hand on his shoulder, though Tony took a step back with a little smirk on his face.

"Oh. Where did the height come from?" Tony asked. "You … have outstripped both your mom and dad — how?"

"We're not here to talk genetics, are we?" James asked. "Because if we are, I am in the wrong lab."

"No, no … this is your new helper." He looked overly proud as he pulled the pretty blonde girl over and rested both hands on her shoulders as he grinned at James.

It was laughable. "I'm James," he said, offering his hand to the girl. "And he's an idiot."

The girl lit up and set James back a hair at how warm she was. "Vanessa. So nice to finally meet you!"

James frowned and turned to Tony. "Finally?" But Tony only grinned a little wider.

"You kids have fun," Tony said before he left, closing the door behind him and leaving Vanessa to explain in a quick pace what she meant.

"I'm precognitive," she said, grinning widely. "And when I got here last week, I had a vision about you. We're going to be very close, James."

James clearly didn't buy it at all as he drew in a deep breath and held it, watching her for a long moment, at a total loss for words on how to approach this girl. "I'm … I'm just going to get to work," James said, pointing to the mess of wires and circuit boards on the workbench. "You … do … whatever … yeah."

He went back to his seat and took far too long to get back into the stride he'd been in before Tony and Vanessa completely derailed him.

"Hey, could I ask a favor?"

Tyler and Hank both looked up from what they were doing — their heads had been together as they coordinated a few things for Tyler as the next wave of students hit Chicago and a few of the rescues headed their way were hyped on boost and needed the latest techniques to come down. When they saw Gerry standing in the doorway, though, both of them grinned.

"You don't have to ask," Tyler said. "What's up?"

"Organic chemistry."

Both Tyler and Hank let out noises that perfectly showed how sympathetic they were to Gerry's predicament. "Ah," Hank said simply.

"I'm only one class into the semester, and I'm already very sure I'm going to need help studying," Gerry said. "I'm better with anatomy…"

"You're great in all your classes," Tyler assured him. "You just psych yourself out when you get the ones with the professors who try to scare you into dropping out."

"That professor of chemistry last semester was particularly egregious," Hank agreed.

Gerry pulled a face. "No kidding."

Tyler smirked and got up to knock shoulders with Gerry. "Really, though — we've got your back."

"Thanks," Gerry said, grinning up at Tyler. Because, really, there was something that made him feel invincible knowing his childhood hero was on his side.