Chapter 6: Worn Down

While Logan and K were reintroducing themselves, Erik was following his newly all-seeing grandson. The young man seemed determined, though Erik was still trying to understand just what these new changes were and what their implications could be.

Billy was floating along ahead of Erik, who was floating as well … not for any real anger on his part but because his pride wouldn't let him simply and meekly follow along — even if he had no idea what was going on.

But it was no time at all before they found themselves at another facility, much like the one they had just rescued Billy from. It was a little bit smaller, but Billy tipped his head Erik's way with a dark sort of look.

"This is … mid-level holding," Billy said, pausing to search for the right word to explain it. "Not as high-priority as where they held the Howletts and other healers, but there's a few 'weapons' and potential weapons…" He let out a breath. "This is where they've got a friend of mine — and this is where they've been keeping Gerry Drew."

Erik raised an eyebrow at that. "We haven't been able to identify where they were holding him on our own. It's been the source of some anguish for Kurt — knowing there was a little blond orphaned half-Hawkeye…"

"Yeah." Billy let out a breath. "They're hoping he has his father's healing powers — only moreso. He's already got his mother's super strength, wallcrawling… they're already training him. Just… so you know what we're walking into."

Erik tipped his chin up. "They won't be 'training' him much longer," he said, eyes flashing.

Billy nodded his fervent agreement, and the two men made their way inside — not bothering to be subtle about it, either. Erik blasted open the doors as he'd done before, and this time, Billy was right there beside him, wordless spells blazing paths ahead of them in a way Erik had simply never seen from him before.

Billy's newfound powers were practically a beacon for them to find their way toward the cells — where Erik wasn't surprised to see that there were several mutants being kept. He waved his hand, and in short order, the two of them were directing the escapees toward freedom.

It seemed that Billy was headed specifically for one cell toward the end of the hall, though, and when they arrived, Erik could see why. The cell contained one of his old teammates.

Noh-Varr looked far more worn down than Erik had ever seen him. He was asleep on the floor of the bare cell, even with all the noise of the escape around him. That in itself was telling, but it wasn't until Billy stooped down beside his friend and gently removed a band around his head that Erik could see yet another way the department had been controlling people.

Noh's eyes popped open, and he took a moment to try to focus. Without the band disrupting his ability to reroute his brainwaves, this was the first time in a long time that he wasn't being told what to think — and it was clear he had to take a moment to process it all.

Finally, he seemed to focus on his old friend. "Billy?"

Billy smiled. "Hey, Noh. You look terrible."

Noh almost chuckled at that as Billy helped him to his feet. "I'm sure you will fill me in on everything that has happened since…" He paused and let his shoulders drop. "Do you know how many survived?"

"Not as many as I'd like," Billy admitted, one shoulder under Noh's as he nodded toward Erik, who simply led the way out. "We've got one more stop to make while we're here before Erik and I level this place. You're welcome to join in if you've got the energy for it."

"I'm not entirely sure I do," Noh admitted. "My meals came only just before a mission, to ensure that I was docile the rest of the time even in case of a power failure or some other mishap in their controls."

Erik's eyes narrowed, but that was the only indication he gave the two younger men behind him that he was listening to their conversation. Instead, he led the way toward the exit and directed the former captives on where to go before he took Billy's cue to go the opposite way — toward what seemed to be an area designated for research.

And in addition to a few more captives — several of whom had clearly been unwilling test subjects — there was a cell with a little blond boy curled up on a cot, his knees drawn nearly up to his chin.

Immediately, Billy dropped to one knee and put on his softest expression as he knelt in front of Gerry. "Hey, buddy," he said in a gentle tone. "Hey, Gerry. Do you remember me?"

Gerry frowned at Billy for a moment before he slowly shook his head.

"That's alright. You weren't very old when you saw me last time," Billy said. "My grandfather and I are here to get you out, okay?"

Gerry frowned at that and glanced between Billy and Erik before he bit his lip and shook his head. "I go here," he said in such a quiet tone that Billy almost missed it.

Billy frowned hard. "What?"

"This is where I go," Gerry said, even softer. "No running. No fighting."

Erik narrowed his eyes at that before he simply reached out a hand — and half the cell came apart with his power. "You no longer have to listen to those cretins," Erik told Gerry, his tone far more commanding than the quiet one Billy had been using.

And, to Billy's surprise… that seemed to work. All at once, Gerry rushed forward and attached himself to Erik, holding onto a couple fistfulls of cape. And while Erik seemed surprised, he simply picked the little boy up and allowed Gerry to hold on a little better.

"Now then," Erik said, fire flashing in his gaze. "Let's show these men what happens when they try to make mindless drones of children."

Of course, the rest of the group that had gone after Billy had no idea what the two Lensherrs were up to — so it was a surprise when the two of them showed up in the hideout in the Savage Lands.

And it was even more of a surprise to see the state of affairs: Erik had a small blonde boy all but attached to him, grasping to him for dear life, and behind him, Billy and Noh-Varr were wrapping up a discussion of some sort.

"Would you like to meet any—" Erik started to ask the little boy clutching to him, but he didn't even look up before he shook his head and held onto Erik tighter, and Erik sighed, looking around for a moment before he pulled up a seat out of the metal in the floor and settled in with the small blond still half curled into him; it was clear he wasn't going to go anywhere.

Noh looked past the group and gave K a wan smile for just a moment before he saw Sying and seemed to let out all his breath. "You've grown," he said softly Sying's way, though the little boy was considering him with a little frown and his head tipped to the side.

"They're a bit shy," Kurt said.

"Understandable," Noh said, simply sinking into a seat on the couch close to K. "It's good to see you again — both of you," he said softly.

"Love you too, sparkly moon man," K replied quietly, and Elin let out a tiny giggle at the name.

Noh smiled her way. "Hello there, little sister," he said. "You have grown as well."

Elin peeked up at Noh, emboldened by simply getting her parents returned to her. She gave him a tiny smile — but quickly settled back into K.

"About that … the little sister thing," K said.

Noh frowned and turned her way. "Ah, yes, well, if you have changed your mind—"

"No, not at all," K promised. "It's just that … I was pregnant when we were captured. And we just got him back. Dr. Banner is looking him over."

Noh's smile started to spread very slowly. "That," he said, "is wonderful news."

"He doesn't know us any more than he knows you," Logan clarified.

"That is not as good to hear," Noh said with a little frown.

K looked down at Elin until the two met each other's gaze. "You're a big sister," K told her. "I'm sorry you didn't get to meet him sooner. But … we all got to meet him on the same day anyhow."

"I can help you be a big sister," Charlie offered when Elin looked rather wide-eyed. "I know how."

Elin looked as if she was simply thinking it over for a moment. "Doesn't count," she told her.

Charlie looked offended, but Chance looked absolutely triumphant and broke into a giggle and a muttered, "Toldja so," that earned him a truly withering Summerseque glare.

"So much better when it's not directed right at you," K whispered to Logan — just to rile him a little. "Don't you think?"

He gave her a very dry look. "No. No I don't."

"Then you do miss that look," she countered. "Lucky for you …" She gestured to the twins without further explanation.

Meanwhile, Sying was very carefully edging closer to Noh, staring at him in awe, until he said, "You look like me."

"Yes, I do," Noh agreed, watching him just as carefully.

All at once, the little boy climbed up into Noh's lap — not for a hug but to study him closer. Noh let him satisfy his curiosity until Sying leaned forward and asked, "Are you really fast too?"

Noh nodded. "Yes, I am."

Sying grinned at that. "Good. Okay." He climbed back down and returned to his game with Chance and Charlie, though Noh could hear him whispering, "He's a lot like me," to the twins.

"You're prettier," K promised Sying.

Sying looked surprised her way before he giggled. "Okay," he agreed with a little nod.

Krissy had to giggle too. "Handsomer," she corrected them both. "Pretty's for girls."

"Not true," K replied. "Logan has pretty eyes, and your papa has pretty curls."

Krissy seemed to consider this, looking both of them over carefully. "I guess so," she conceded at last.

"She just wants to be pretty too," Sying whispered with a little grin.

"She doesn't have to want to," K whispered back. "She looks like her mother."

Both Sying and Krissy grinned at that, and Kurt gave K a small look before Krissy climbed out of his lap to play with the others, now teasing Sying about how 'pretty' he was.

It wasn't much longer that Bruce emerged from the room with James on his hip, the little guy not really holding on to him but using him for balance. He made his way right over to the Howletts, and Elin shifted from her mother to her father to make room for James. "He seems perfectly healthy," Bruce said as he handed him to K, though the little guy didn't curl up to her in the least. "I think he's been pretty isolated … so you'll need to really pour on the attention. I tried to tickle him?" Bruce shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck as he gestured with his free hand to Logan. "Kind of got a reaction like that. Just … glares."

K nodded and tried to get James' attention, though it didn't last long, as he was trying to take in all the newcomers at once.

Sying watched the little boy for a while too, the two of them studying each other intently, before he looked toward Elin. "This is your little brother?" he asked.

Elin just nodded. "His name is James," she told him, snuggling into Logan's chest.

Sying nodded at that. "Okay." He climbed up so he was in Noh's lap again and smiled encouragingly at James. "Hi. I'm Sying," he said.

James just watched him until K turned to Sying. "He hasn't learned his name," she told him quietly. "I don't know what they called him."

At that, the little blond in Erik's arms shifted — just the slightest — and whispered very quietly in Erik's ear. Erik stiffened, though he tried to soften it when he was still holding the little half-hawk, but the adults in the room could see he was angry about it as he looked toward Logan and K and very barely managed to say the word "chi" without sounding livid in the boy's ear.

Both of them looked taken aback, and K very gently put her hand out for James to take. When he did, she held his hand very gently and talked low. "That's not your name, sweetheart." Her tone was soft and soothing. "We named you James before you were born."

He watched her before he turned to look at Logan and Elin, trying to make the connections between them all. As he was working it over, K reached up to brush the hair out of his eyes, very gently. He looked confused by the gesture, but when K kept very slowly playing with his hair, he started to lean into it. She moved her hand back until he leaned on her shoulder, his head resting on her collarbone, where he could listen to her heart beat. And that had the little guy relaxing properly.

"James doesn't talk very much," Sying observed with a little frown as he watched the whole interaction, perched on his father's knee.

"No, but he knows his mom," Billy said with a small smile.

"Yeah, looks like," K said with a sarcastic tone, though the little guy let out a big, hitching yawn.

"Oooh, is it time for bedtime?" Krissy asked, her head tipped to the side. "Wade isn't here for stories!"

"You still have a few hours," Erik told her. "It seems that James just has a different bedtime — or something other than a bedtime story to get him to settle in."

"Oh, good. I still wanna play," Krissy said with a little smile. She glanced at Gerry, who was still refusing to let go of Erik. "Does he wanna play? We can play quiet games."

"You can try," Erik said. "But don't feel too badly if he refuses."

Krissy nodded and nosed her way over, her ears perked up with her smile. "We're all gonna play, if you want to," she told him, though he very quietly shook his head and tightened his hold on Erik. She frowned but patted him on the knee gently, which got him to freeze. "That's okay," she said. "Maybe next time."

K looked over James's head to Tony and Bruce. "Is there somewhere we can lie down?"

"There's a bedroom in the back," Bruce said. "You can take mine."

K stood up and gave him a grateful look, though it was clear she was trying not to smirk. "Are you sure?"

"It's cleaner," Bruce said.

"I'm sure it is," K said, the smirk breaking loose at his reasoning before she offered Elin her free hand. "Lead the way?"

Bruce just nodded, and the three of them followed him out.

"She ... " Logan let out a semi- irritated grumble. "...knows how to poke the bear." He turned toward Kurt. "And I'll bet Banner has it figured out by the time he gets back here."

"I'm sure he will," Kurt said, trying not to chuckle and failing.

"Not that the other option would be much better," Logan added, though it looked like Tony just got the joke.

"Oh. Come on," Tony said. "It would be better though, right? I smell way better." Logan gave him a dry ook, and Tony very loudly cleared his throat at that.

When Bruce finally did come back, it was clear from his expression that he had realized what was up, as he glanced to Logan, frowned, and sat down at his workbench with a deeply settled frown that didn't quite leave his expression.

In the meantime, though, Logan was getting updates from the little brown-haired boy who had climbed up into his lap once K left with Elin and James, having decided that Logan was one of the good guys — so Logan couldn't respond much to Banner anyway. Not when Chance was explaining about Elin's favorite color of blue.

"And we got to put blue inside the water until it was just the right color," Chance said excitedly. "And then Bruce put in something new, and we got to start all over again."

"Did you get your color just right?" Logan asked.

"Well, I like red, but we were using blues," Chance reasoned.

"Of course you do."

"We were gonna play with red next, but Elin finally got to use the dropper, so that was first," Chance explained easily. "And then we got distracted…. Um. Sying and Krissy were arguing, I think. They do that a lot."

"Why do you think they do that?" Logan asked.

Chance giggled and leaned forward to do his best whisper. "Cause Sying likes Krissy, duh."

"That's what I thought," Logan said. "He's always been like that."

Chance nodded several times. "Mmmhmm. Wade says ever since they were babies. He says it's genest-tic."

"Probably," Logan agreed. "Just like you tryin' to help Elin."

"Elin's my best friend," Chance said with a grin. "That's how come I take care of her really well and know things like her favorite color."

"I'm glad you do, kiddo," Logan told him.

Chance grinned and nodded, then looked thoughtful for a second before he asked, "Can I still be her best friend?" He looked half-pleading. "Even if she has a new brother and a mom and dad now?"

"I don't know why you couldn't," Logan told him. "I bet she'd like it if you went campin' with us too."

He broke into an even wider grin. "That sounds like fun!"

"I know a few good spots that no one has even set foot on in years," Logan told him.

"Oh." He looked a bit put out. "Are we still hiding? I thought we were done."

"No more hidin'," Logan promised. "I just like places like that."

Chance considered it for a while before he finally nodded. "Okay," he said. "As long as we're not staying there forever."

"I was thinkin' more like a week."

"That's a long time," Chance said. "That's seven whole days!"

"But it's not forever," Logan replied. "And … we might be able to go to a spot your dad really liked."

"Really?" Chance tipped his head to the side. "Where is that?"

"Up in Alaska," Logan told him. "He'd go up there every now and again to stay in a cabin and fish."

"Can we go there?" Chance asked softly, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, we can," Logan said with a nod.

Chance broke into a huge grin and leaned into Logan for a quick hug. "I would like that a lot."

"As often as you wanna go," Logan agreed.

After that, it wasn't long before most of the kids started to get tired. It had been a long day, full of excitement and moving and playing and making new friends — though there was a small hiccup when the kids realized that Wade wasn't around to tell them stories. Kurt stepped in before they could get too upset about it, though half of the kids were already on the couch and not about to move at all. Chance decided Logan was perfect for sitting on for stories, and Sying and Krissy were still sitting on their respective fathers, so it turned into a cuddle pile quickly enough; everyone else wanted to be part of it.

Except for Gerry — who was not moving. He had relaxed his death grip on Erik's shirt, but he also hadn't made a single move to get out of his lap or even look at anyone else, just listening to what was going on around him and hiding for the most part. He was definitely listening to the storytime, and Erik could see him relaxing as the stories went on, but any move Erik made to get up or try to move them closer to the others was met with Gerry taking a tighter hold of Erik's shirt and shaking his head, so he stayed put.

It wasn't until after all of the kids — including Gerry — had drifted off that Billy leaned over with a smile at the little blond kid. "I think he likes you," he told Erik when he saw the open-mouthed, relaxed way Gerry was leaning into his grandfather.

Erik shook his head as he readjusted the way Gerry was leaned on him so the little boy wouldn't wake up with a crick in his neck. "He's simply scared," he said, waving it away.

Billy smirked and shook his head. "Yeah, and the fact that you stormed the rest of the base one-handed had nothing to do with anything," he muttered before he gently rested a hand on Erik's shoulder. "It looks like you have things in hand. Not just with Gerry, I mean." He gestured with his other hand at the various sleeping kids and reunited friends. "And… I should really get back to my own reality, so to speak."

"I'm not sure that I agree with you," Erik replied, though it was hard to argue with the way Gerry was curled into him.

"To which part?" Billy asked. "You have the tools to rebuild, the kids are adjusting… as well as can be expected. Avalon is still in the sky if you want to use it as a hideaway until you're more established. You and Wade and I have recovered the few mutants they had ... I'm not sure what more you think needs doing that's more pressing than your own happiness for five minutes." He smiled gently. "You can relax, Grandpa. At least a little."

"And I'm sure any threat that comes toward these kids is going to get the snarly stab treatment anyhow," Tony pointed out.

"And more," Noh added softly. "Depending entirely upon who gets there first."

"See?" Billy grinned. "You did good. And… I've got my own grandfather to go back to. And my husband. As much as I'd love to stay, you've got your family to take care of, and I've got mine."

"I'm sure he'll return from time to time," Kurt added.

"Oh, absolutely," Billy said with a nod. "This place… in a way, I was born here." The galaxies behind his eyes glowed a bit brighter for a moment before he let out a sigh. "I'll see you soon," he said, and in an instant, he was gone again, blinking out like a light.