The prodigal authoress has returned to the scene! After over three months I have finally updated BID! I'd like to take the time to dedicate this story to all of you who put up with my annoyingly slow updating and still stick with me anyway. I love all of you who read and review so much, and while I can't tell you how much right here as there is a new rule in place, you shall all get your reply ASAP. Now on another note, if you are reviewing anonymously and want a reply please create an account or at least leave me with an e-mail address please!
Disclaimer-Did you know that humans share over 50 of their DNA with bananas? No? Then I bet you also didn't know that I sadly don't own any of the stuff I'm working with save the story...
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"'T was a dark an' stormin' night. All the lil kids was home in deir beds, aposta be sweepin'." Remy began his story dramatically as Lance and Wanda worked on getting a small camp fire started.
Kitty clutched her new stuffed dragon and gaped at the older boy in awe. "What stowy he gonna tell?" She asked Marie.
"Dunno, but it betta be good." Marie whispered back.
"Well, if de two a y' would be quiet, Remy could get dere." He rolled his eyes. "Anyway, a man was in de town a sweepy howow. His name was Itchybutt Crayon."
"I don't fink his mommy wiked him vewy much did she?" Kitty whispered to Rogue who shook her head.
"Ah'm glad Ah didn' get stuck wif such a dumb name."
Remy frowned and put his hands on his hips. "Stop imperupin' Remy!"
Rogue's eyes narrowed. "Well it ain' our fault ya takin' too long ta git ta the good part."
He huffed and continued. "As Remy was bout ta say, he was a teacher at the skull. And he liked a perty gal. She was de mos' belle fille in Sweepy Howow. All de hommes liked her and wanted to marry her. But nobody could. I think it might be acuz de headless horseyman."
"What's a headless horseyman?" Kitty asked in a small voice.
"He a big stupid homme wit'out a head. An' he rides round on a big mean horsey that spits fire." Remy paused. "Remy fink he might be related t' dis boy who live in de house next door t' him. But dat don' matter. Dis ain' about Julian. The horseyman rode around at night but he had to follow all these stupid rules. Like for ezample...he couldn't cross bridges, an' he had ta go away befo' the sun came up an stuff like that. He was tryin' ta find his head which he losted somewhere a long time ago.
One night, Itchybutt Crayon was bein' a idiot and walkin' around late at night cuz he was gonna ask de belle fille to marry him. An' all of a sudden the headless horseyman came outta nowhere an' decided that he wanted to get himself a new head. Remy guess he musta decided he liked Mr. Crayon's head an' he missed his naptime ou sometin' acuz he didn' care that Mr. Crayon was usin it. He tried to take it so Itchybutt Crayon ran an' ran an' ran until he found a bridge but the horseyman caught him...an' dey never saw him again..." Remy finished in a whisper.
"N-Neber?" Kitty whimpered.
"Not ever again." Remy shook his head solemnly. "Well, not de same way anyway. Some people say dat he be de new headless horseyman an' he lookin' for a new head fo' himself."
"Don' scare her!" Jean chastised, looking concerned for her younger friend.
"I'm okay." Kitty cocked her head to the side. "Can it be my turn to tew a stowy now?"
"Okay." Remy agreed.
Kitty grinned. "Once upon a time there was a bunny. His mommy named him Peter acuz she liked that name. He had a blue coat an' lil teeny shoesies."
Remy groaned. "Kitty we're uposta be telling scary stories!" He groaned. "Bunnies ain' scary!"
"I wike bunnies though..." She bit her lip.
"Me too." Said Jean.
"Funny Bunnies!" Giggled Tabitha.
Remy groaned, "No bunnies!"
"Why not?"
"Cuz!" He rolled his eyes. Realizing he wasn't likely to get his way, he stomped his foot and scowled. "At least make it a scary bunny?"
Kitty thought for a moment and then nodded. "Once upon a time the bunny named Peter meeted a ghosty bunny. The ghosty bunny's name was...uh...Fluffy. They wan'ed go to the farmy mans yard and get carrots, but there was a fence. So Fluffy went through the fence and got the carrots and they were all happy forever after!"
Remy massaged his temples. However many of the other girls were all cheering and happy. Lance for one thought Kitty's little story was adorable.
Rogue softly shook her head. Kitty was too clueless sometimes. "Mah turn." All attention focused on her.
"This is a real story from a place called Transmissletoevania. It all started when all the people started bein' scared of Count Spatula. He could turn into a bat an' drink peebles bloods. Most people don' like that much. So they started wearin' garlic cuz its stinky and he wouldn' bite them. And um, Ah think mah mama said he didn' like steak. Or silverware. So people founded out ya could kill him with those and started carrying big silver forks to poke him away with.
But then he got a doggy that wasn't really a doggy. He was a werewoof. That means he turned into a wolf an' howled when the moon gets big. The doggy didn' like silverwares either and he could turn into a people and the people wanted to burn them and make them go away so they lit torches on fire and were gonna burn down Count Spatulas house and-"
She was interrupted by the sounds of the other toddler's screaming. Lance and the other normally aged mutants were freaking out. The fire had been lit, with a little help from matches and Wanda's powers. But the blaze scaring the small children was Amara. The instant the flames had appeared she herself had giggled and then she was a blaze. The tiny princess clapped her hands and the fire grew bigger each time. All the other children had scurried away and were clutching Wanda and Lorna tightly.
Well all except for Pyro, who sat there mesmerized.
"John, get away from her!" Lance called franticly. He hoped Amara would just put her own flame out, but it didn't look like that was happening.
"What happning to 'Mara?" Tabby pulled at Lance's hand in fear.
"Tabby go sit with the others." He said gently, trying to force a calm response. He was feeling sick at the intensity of the heat. He pushed them all back a bit and reached around to grab the small red headed Aussie. To his immense shock the boy was seated cross-legged across from Amara, the two of them petting a fire puppy, the camp fire forgotten.
Lance collapsed to his knees, shaking. He'd forgotten that Pyro had the ability to manipulate fire, including its temperature. This group of kids was enough to cause even the strongest person to have a mental breakdown. He ran a quick mental check of the kids who had their powers develop: Remy, Bobby, Tabby, Toad, Kurt, Jean, Scott, Rogue, and now Pyro and Amara. That only left Kitty and Freddy of the twelve mini mutants powerless He massaged his temples and thought.
Pyro wasn't really dangerous unless Amara was all flamed up. But the others had definite potential.
Wanda noticed his distress. "Johnny!" She called. He looked over his shoulder and smiled his toothy grin at her. Instantly the puppy disappeared. He toddled over to her. She sighed in relief and scooped him up into her arms. "Don't scare me like that! You could have gotten burned!" She scolded.
He tilted his head and wrinkled his eyebrows. "Johnny badboy?" He asked softly.
Her heart melted and she held him close. "No, you aren't a bad boy. But don't play with fire, it's bad!"
He nodded like he understood. "But so perty!" He pouted.
Wanda sighed and set him down. All the other teens were watching with raised eyebrows.
"You, Wanda, will make a damn good mother someday." Evan informed her with wide eyes.
"Watch your mouth, Daniels." She grumbled.
"Point exact." He rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Seriously, man, it's like it just comes naturally to you."
"I am inclined to agree." Piotr smiled, a rare event for anyone to observe. "You have a way with the little ones."
She shrugged, uncomfortable with how everyone kept telling her that she was so good with little kids. Really this was the first event that even had her near small children.
"Hey who wants s'mores?" Lance asked lightly, sensing her discomfort with the topic at hand.
"Whass dat?" Pyro scrunched up his nose curiously.
"I know!" Jean smiled. "S'mores are somfin' yummy that peoples eat when they go camp. I fink they gots a grim cracker, mushmellows and chocolates."
"Right you are." Lance nodded. "You cook the marshmallows on sticks in the fire."
Several blank stares met this declaration. "Like this." Lorna said gently, grabbing a marshmallow from the bag Lance had brought outside. She put it on the end of a stick the length of her arm and held it over the fire. The toddlers watched in revered silence as she rotated it until finally she removed it and it was golden brown.
She smiled at the astonished looks as she broke a graham cracker in half and pulled the marshmallow from the stick with it before placing a small hershey's bar on top of the marshmallow. "And here we have a s'more."
"It nummy?" Fred asked quietly.
"Sara says so." Jean shrugged.
"Here. You try it for yourself." Lorna smiled at the heavy toddler and handed him the treat.
He took a cautious bite before his eyes lit up. "It good!" He looked ready to shovel the rest into his mouth but he hesitated. He turned to Jean. "Wanna try?"
Lance and Evan's jaws plummeted. The blob was offering to share food with Jean!
Jean seemed to ponder his offer before Scott stormed over. "If I was you I wouldn't eat it. He bited it. That's gross!" He complained.
Jean rolled her eyes and ignored the scowling older boy. She smiled sweetly at Fred. "Fank you, but I couldn't take it. It's yours. Miss Lorna gived it to you."
"Sure?" Freddy asked. "I break off part I bited if you wants."
"That's alright." Jean smiled.
"Ok." Freddy ate his treat.
Lance laughed and beckoned all the kids closer. He gave them each a marshmallow and a stick and was all for letting them have fun. Things were going great, at least until Jean's marshmallow caught on fire. She cried out in surprise as the marshmallow was engulfed in blue flame. She watched in dismay as it shriveled and blackened. She removed it from the fire and looked ready to cry. Scott and a couple other boys laughed at her misfortune.
"Oh no, Jean, it looks like you cooked it a little to long." Lorna said softly. "Its alright though, that happens to everybody sometimes. Want another one?"
Jean sniffled and was ready to take one. "Wait!" Freddy called to her. He looked at his marshmallow, and then at Jean. "Wan' mines?" He held it out to her. Somehow his was a toasty brown, nearly perfect.
"You cooked it." Jean shook her head. "I messeded mines up. I can't take your perfec one."
He shook his head and continued holding it out. "I aleady eated one. Want you eat." He pleaded with his eyes.
She reached for the stick. "Fank you Feddy."
He beamed at her and took the marshmallow Lorna offered. Lance watched with a curious expression. He figured he was the only one who noticed that Scott was making fun of Jean to Kurt and Bobby from the other side of the fire. Freddy heard and stuck his tongue out at the older boy.
Lance frowned. He had always thought of Scott and Jean as snotty jerks. And he found it hard to picture one in his mind without the other. However, as things were playing out, Lance was seeing that Jean wasn't quite the bratty miss perfect he had always assumed she was.
"It's amazing, isn't it?" Wanda asked quietly. He jumped in mild surprise. "Seeing how different they are. It's hard to believe they grow into the people we know, isn't it?" She frowned and glanced at the littlest of the mini-mutants, Toad, who currently was in her lap slurping on a marshmallow.
"Really." He nodded. "I was just thinking..."
"Thought I smelt something burning." She smirked playfully.
"Funny." He rolled his eyes. "Do you think they'll remember any of this? Any friendships or anything? You know...if Forge can put them right."
"Don't worry, he'll be able to fix it." Wanda assured. "I just...have a feeling. And I don't know how this whole thing will affect them. I guess it would be a little weird." She confessed.
"Really." Lance agreed. Wanda set Toad down and he crawled off to play with the other kids.
"So...what do you think our odds are that they'll go to sleep easily?" Wanda asked, glancing at her watch.
Lance snorted. "After feeding them sugar and letting them tell scary stories? Those odds are probably as good as the ones sayin' that Wolverine pops the question to you when the adults get home."
Wanda shuddered. "If you ever suggest that again, I will not be held accountable for my actions."
Lance snickered. "Oh I don't know, I mean, have you ever seen the way he looks at you?"
Wanda raised an eyebrow. "Oh you mean with that same mushy look Summers sends your way in the danger room?" She batted her eyes, causing him to yelp.
"Not funny. Not funny at all."
"Exactly." Wanda agreed. "Mr. Logan's old enough to be my father's great-grand father for crying out loud."
"Point well received." Lance saluted.
"Well, putting those really disturbing mental images aside, I think we should probably think about getting the pack of wild mini-mutants to sleep. From the sounds of things, tomorrow's going to be a very busy day."
"Oh yeah." Lance whistled.
Wanda rose to her feet. Lance sighed and followed suit. He put two fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle. All the little kids looked towards him.
"Alright you bunch. I know we've all been having fun but I think it's time to call it a night." 12 sets of eyes stared at him like he was an idiot. He ignored it. "Boys come over here with me, girls, right over here with Wanda."
The kids stayed where they were. "You not our boss." Scott stuck his tongue at Lance. "You can't tell us what to do."
Lance bit back a sharp retort, reminding himself that Scott was in the rebellious toddler stage and it would not help to show annoyance. So he smiled and crossed his arms. "Okay everybody, we have a busy day tomorrow. So you guys need to cooperate with us, okay? It's time to go to bed now."
At the word twelve kids bolted as fast as tiny unsturdy legs could carry them. Spike sighed. "Man, why'd you go and tell them that?" He groaned. "Now we're going to have to catch them!"
Lance sighed. "I miss Danger Room sessions where Wolverine could threaten to beat the crap out of you for being disobedient." He blinked. "And I never thought I'd say that."
"We'll call the world records later, man." Evan assured him. "First lets round up our dear teammates."
"Well at least they can't get too far." Lance smiled cheerily. "The pen is small enough so they only have so far."
Spyke looked at him as if to say that was the stupidest thing Lance ever said. "Still, they're fast. And small. Man, I'm never having kids after this." He swore.
"Let's just split up. I mean, it's just twelve little kids. There are four of us."
"Five." Lorna added.
"Right." Lance nodded. "We're older, stronger, and smarter. How hard will it be?"
"Famous last words." Evan scoffed.
"Okay, lets just go do this." Lance tried to smile. "We just have to pick who each of us will go for."
"Dibbs on Toad, Blob, and Amara!" Evan called, picking the slowest and easiest to catch.
"I'll get Jean, and Kitty." Lorna offered.
"I'll take John and night crawler." Wanda shrugged.
"Fine leave me with the hardest two girls." Lance rolled his eyes. "Guess I'm stuck with Tabby, Marie, Remy, and...Summers." Lance wrinkled his nose as if Scott's last name left a nasty taste in his mouth.
"I vill take the boys." Piotr spoke up. "If you are vishink it."
"Thanks big guy." Lance smiled in relief. "I owe ya one."
"I vill hold you to that." Piotr bowed his head.
The group split and charged at the smaller mutants. Evan had it relatively easy, as neither Todd nor Amara could toddle far at all, and Freddy couldn't move too mast due to his being so heavy.
And Lorna had it relatively easy as well. After running around giggling for a little, Kitty and Jean started running out of energy. Kitty sat down and threw up her arms, pleading for Lorna to pick her up. Jean held onto the older girl's hand and allowed herself to be led to the girls' tent. Lorna got the two tired girls tucked into sleeping bags as Spyke entered with Amara sleeping with her head leaned on his shoulder. He gently handed her to Lorna, who put her into the portable crib they had brought out. Spyke nodded to the girl and headed back to the boys' tent.
Wanda had thought Pyro would prove to be the most difficult, but he came toddling over when she called him. It was Mystique's young son who she guessed was trying to give her gray hair before her eighteenth birthday.
"Kurt!" She called in dismay. He was giggling and taunting in broken German as he disappeared and reappeared a few feet away each time.
"Him bad boy?" Pyro chewed curiously on his thumb.
"No John, he's not bad. Just annoying." Wanda tickled his chin. "I'm going to have to put you down, okay kiddo?" She moved to leave him in the tent designated for the guys.
"NO!" He called, clutching his arms around her. "No bed! Wanna stay wif you! Catch boo boy!" He pleaded.
Wanda sighed. "John, it's time for sleeping, not playing." She said as sternly as she could manage.
He turned in his bottom lip, and pooled his big blue eyes with tears. He whimpered and she shut her eyes. "I'm not buying that. Please, just go to bed?"
He sniffled and looked dejected as he turned to the tent, shuffling his feet sadly on the way. Which was the reason two minutes later he was laughing at Wanda's failing attempt to catch Nightcrawler as he struggled to keep up with her pace. Kurt continued his porting, discovering it to be faster than his toddler ability to run.
"Kurt, please come back!" She pleaded. "I'll give you a marshmallow!" She tried desperately.
"Yours giving you a tough time too?" Lance walked up beside her. She raised an eyebrow at his charred and disheveled face. He looked like something had blown up on him.
"Tabby." He replied to her unasked question. "She and Marie are one hell of a tag team, especially since she keeps having 'accidents' with her powers."
Wanda nodded in understanding. "Nightcrawler's figured out how to work his powers. He's making a mockery of me and Pyro isn't making it easier." Wanda sighed. "He won't go to sleep."
"Hey there buddy, are you helping Wanda out?" Lance knelt down and smiled at Pyro.
The little red-head nodded. "Yup. Catchin boo boy but he no let us."
Lance nodded. "Well is that so? I'm glad you're such a big boy you can help."
Pyro beamed.
Lance smiled. "In fact, I could use such a bi-g help like you."
"Really? For what?"
"Well you are a big help, but not all the others are acting like big boys or girls. Do you want to be my deputy and help me make sure everybody does what they're supposed to?"
"What is depardy?" He turned quizzical eyes to Lance.
"It's somebody very special." Lance assured him. "You get to help me be in charge of the other kids to make sure they go to bed."
"Do I get to wear a funny hat?" Pyro asked excitedly.
Lance laughed. "Well I don't have one on hand right now, but tomorrow I'll find you a good one. How's that sound?"
The little boy pondered it for a moment. "Ok."
Lance grinned. "Okay, first up, we have to apprehend Tabitha and Marie."
Pyro puffed with pride and took Lance's hand as he proudly marched toward the girls.
"Thanks." Mouthed Wanda gratefully before turning back to the direction she'd last seen Nightcrawler. Right on cue he ported back into her line of vision and she took off running after him.
The little boy was obviously enjoying the chase. He would let her get fairly close before porting away again. Then all of a sudden he ported outside the makeshift pen. His grin was big and mischievous. Wanda groaned and climbed over the fence. Kurt took off again and turned around to stick his tongue at her before teleporting. He came back in and before Wanda could cry out for him to stop, he ran full toddler speed smack into a tree.
He sat there stunned for a moment, until he noticed the fine line of dark red trickling down his forehead. He started panicking and bawling.
"Oh no!" Wanda ran to where he sat and picked him up, checking for injuries. "Shh, it's okay, you'll be alright, baby. Oh you poor little thing..." She rubbed his back gently as she carried him back to the makeshift campsite.
Lance, hearing the cries, abandoned his effort to catch Tabitha and Marie and rushed over. "What happened?"
"He ran into a tree, saw that he cut his head and started screaming." Wanda said helplessly. She juggled the toddler's weight and rubbed his back.
Lorna emerged from the tent and gasped before running over. "Poor baby." She cooed. She reached out and took him from Wanda. As she inspected the cut she smiled at Kurt. "Did that nasty tree hit you?" She asked in a baby voice.
Kurt nodded. "Beeding." He murmured. She glanced at the cut. "Don't worry, you'll be as good as new with a nice band-aid." She assured him.
"Wanda, could you run over there and grab my bag?" She gestured. "I have a first aid kit in there."
Wanda nodded and did as requested. She handed over the bag and Lorna balanced Kurt on her knee. "Okay sweetie, would you like a dinosaur?" She held up a red bandage with a yellow T-rex on it.
Kurt nodded and she smiled. "Okay, I need to clean it out, alright? This will be cold but don't worry, it will make sure the cut heals." She dabbed a peroxide soaked cotton ball to his forehead and he let out a fresh howl. "Shhh, it's okay." She said softly. She stuck the bandage to his forehead. "All better."
He sniffled in wonder as she picked him up and started walking to the boys tent to put him to bed for the night.
Lance watched Piotr haul Remy and Scott over. He was gently yet forcefully steering them by the collars of their pajamas. Both were struggling fiercely and Remy was saying some things in French that Lance was sure he didn't even want translated.
"Thanks Piotr." Lance grinned.
The Russian shrugged. "It is nothink. I grew up on a farm,comerades. Catching small boys is rather like catching the sheep to sheer them in the spring when the dogs cannot keep them all in line."
Lance and Wanda blinked, not understanding the analogy. Piotr shrugged and brought the two struggling eldest mini-mutants into the tent.
"Right. back to the girls." Lance sighed.
"Would it be so wrong to pull a tranq gun on them?" Wanda asked in a would be casual tone.
"As tempting as it is to answer that, I'm not going to dignify that with a response." Lance said wearily. "How'd I get stuck with those two anyway?"
"Lance you're a nice guy. And those two both know it." Wanda rolled her eyes. "Now seriously, I have connections. Give me half an hour, I'll get plenty of tranq. darts. They'll be out for hours. Think about it." She winked.
"Don't tempt me, please don't tempt me..." He pleaded. "I'll just have to do it the hard way."
"Come on, I'll help." Wanda coaxed. "It's just them. We get them to sleep, and then we can turn our in for the night too."
The two broke into a jog as three small blurs raced by. Suddenly the red headed boy took a flying leap, pinning Tabby to the floor as he scrambled to sit on her knees.
"Tabafa, you gots the right to maim siwent cuz an'fin' ya say will be useded gainst ya in a quarter lawn."
Lance laughed. "He's giving her the Miranda rights."
"I don't know whether to be impressed, amused, or highly disturbed." Wanda admitted.
Tabitha glared up at him. "Lemme up!"
"No! I'm the depardy! You bin a naughty sheila. Lance and Mamda says its bedtime. You runned way."
"Good work John." Lance called. "I can take care of it from here." He smiled. He lifted Tabitha from the ground. Pyro stood proudly. Then he bolted and caught Rogue by the gloved arm.
"Guess Ah gotta go ta bed too" She sighed.
Tabitha started howling. "Nononononononono No bed! No!" She struggled futilely in Lance's arms.
"Kween Marie, you aposta be a sample fo all us li'ler kids." Pyro shook a finger in Rogue's face.
Wanda chuckled and Lance handed her the fussing blond. He then lifted the young Australian boy up onto his shoulders. "Thanks for being my deputy, kiddo." He thanked the child.
"You weallwy tall." Pyro noted.
Lance chuckled and the group head to their respective tents. Two bed time stories and five potty runs later, everyone managed to fall asleep.
The next morning, Lance woke up to somebody babbling unintelligibly in his ear. It took his brain a few moments to register that it was a young child with an Australian accent who just happened to be sitting at Lance's side.
"Lance, wake wake! Time for up!"
Lance peeked at his watch. "John, it's six-thirty in the morning." Lance sighed warily. "Go back to sleep."
"No. It moring. You sayed Johnny get a funny hat taday." He pouted.
"Can't you just sleep a little more?" Lance asked hopefully.
"Peeeeease?" Pyro pleaded. "Want hat. An' gotsa go potty."
Lance groaned. "Can't Evan or Piotr take you?"
The young red-head shook his head. "Nope. I askeded 'em an' Evan sayed some bad words and hid under his piwow and Pee...Pie...Poto...Shiny man tolded me to come to you. Sides, you pwomiseded me hat."
Lance sighed and sat up. He looked warily around at the group of kids. A few of the other little boys were up too. Kurt was chewing on his tail, Freddy was sitting quietly up in his bedding watching Pyro harass Lance, and Bobby was babbling to a bleary eyed
baby toad. The only two still sleeping were the two oldest.
With more insistence from Pyro, Lance threw his blanket off and climbed to his feet. "I suppose I should bring you all inside. It got kind of cold last night didn't it?"
"Nope." Bobby shook his head.
"Wiar!" Pyro scowled. Lance noticed for the first time that the little boy had the blanket he'd been sleeping under wrapped around him.
"Ok guys. First thing first, go jump on Evan until he gets his lazy butt up. Then politely ask Piotr to get up."
"Weally we can?" Bobby tilted his head to the side.
"Have at him." Lance gestured. Bobby and Kurt were on their feet immediately and they rushed to Evan's bed side. Bobby took a flying leap and tackled the older boy.
"Getupgetupgetupgetupgetup!" He called loudly into Evan's ear.
"Alvers I hate you." Evan sat up scowling and rubbing his sore ribs.
Piotr rose on his own, chuckling slightly. "Good Mornink."
"Mornin' yeah, good? Check back in about three hours." Evan yawned.
"I hear ya, Daniels, really I do, but the kids are due for a bathroom break. Could you and Colossus pack the stuff and put it away?"
Evan sighed and Piotr shrugged. Lance smiled and then turned to the two sleeping boys.
"Hey there guys, time to get up." He said gently. "Scott, Remy, either of you need a bathroom trip?"
Scott rolled over and that was the only response.
"Remy, Scott, wake up." Lance said a little firmly.
"Need depardy Johnny?" Pyro asked eagerly.
"Just a minute." Lance sighed. "Scott Summers and Remy LeBeau please get up!"
"No!" Scott mumbled and pulled the blanket over his head. "I sweeping!"
Lance rolled his eyes. "Okay runt." He nodded at Pyro. "Get them up."
"Bobby help?" The boy jumped up and down.
"Sure Bobby." Lance smirked. "Just don't jump on them."
"Aw you no fun." Bobby kicked at the ground before charging Scott shrieking. "Time for up! Getupgetupgetupgetup!" He pulled the blankets off his former team leader and then stopped short with a look of utmost disgust. He jumped back with a wrinkled nose. "I fink Scoot wetted his jammies!"
Lance groaned. "Why do you say that?"
"I did not!" Scott jumped from his bedding, scandalized. "He wies!"
"Then asplain the dark spot on your bwankie!" Bobby said shrewdly.
"That's from yesday!" Scott cried.
"Nuh-uh." Bobby shook his head.
"Yes-huh!" Scott scowled.
"Boys no fighting!" Lance barked. He rubbed his temples. "Look, we're all going up to the mansion so you can all get clean and go to the bathroom. Come on."
"Lance?" Pyro called. "How you know if peoples are dead?"
Lance's heart constricted and he rushed over to where Remy lay, indeed quite still.
"Oh God...Oh God, Remy?" He felt frantically for a pulse and squinted to see if the four-year-old was breathing.
He sighed heavily in relief when his fingers located a steady pulse and his eyes noticed the Cajun's chest rise slightly with each breath.
"He no wake up." Pyro shrugged. "Oy scream, Oy yelled. Oy tolded him nicely he had to be a big boy and get up. He no move even."
Lance shrugged. "He's just a deep sleeper I guess." He gently shook the boy.
"No tantie! Remy no wanna start pescoo." He mumbled.
"Remy! Remy wake up!" Lance called continuously. A large red-and-black eye sleepily peered half way open."
"Five mo' minutes?" He asked in a soft voice.
"C'mon! Gotta go potty!" Pyro begged, fidgeting around uncomfortably.
"You can take a nap later Remy." Lance assured him.
The Cajun rolled over and yawned. He sat up and rubbed at his eyes, staring around drunk with sleepiness.
Lance helped the boy to his feet and picked up the littlest mutant. "Okay boys, first one up to the house gets to pick what we eat for breakfast."
The kids took off like a shot. Lance could never remember seeing Freddy run so fast in the entire few years he'd known him. Kurt wasn't porting, the tree incident of last night seemed fresh in his memory, but he was scampering along like a cat, on all fours. Bobby was moving fairly fast as well. Remy didn't seem to care too terribly much as he was stumbling and exhausted.
They got into the building and Lance set the boys into the bathroom one after the other and then led them to the kitchen. He was not expecting to find all the girls sitting at the table, dressed and apparently clean. They were eating what looked like McDonald's breakfast meals and Lorna was pouring them orange juice.
"Good morning." Lance said, looking confused.
"Shh." Lorna nodded over to Wanda who was sleeping at the table using her arms as a pillow. "She only just fell asleep. I hope you don't mind, I went to McDonalds about an hour ago and got breakfast."
"No that's great, thanks." Lance said appreciatively. "But, what's up with Wanda?"
"Morning boys!" Lorna smiled cheerily. "Are you hungry?" After they chorused their yesses, she set each one at a table or high chair seat and let them dig in.
She nodded for Lance to come away from the table, the earshot range for the little kids. "Marie had an episode last night. About an hour and a half after she went to sleep she started convulsing and screaming in her sleep. Wanda rushed to her side and her eyes were fierce and blue. That Carol girl took over her mind and body. She started swearing and saying some pretty horrible things. We managed to get her inside to the infirmary, where Warren had to sedate her. Wanda stayed there by the bedside all night. It was pretty scary."
Lance looked at Wanda with sadness in his gaze. "I wish I had known, it sounds terrifying."
"I'm amazed none of you guys woke up." Lorna said softly. "She was screaming pretty loudly. Said some pretty horrible stuff."
Lance frowned and looked at Wanda in sorrow. "Like what?"
"Lets just say it wasn't pretty." Lorna shook her head. "She had Wanda in tears by the time Warren managed to get her sedated."
"How'd he manage that, I thought a needle couldn't pierce her skin..." Lance looked worried.
"True," Lorna agreed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears. "Wanda managed to hold her still long enough for him to force a gas mask over her face. I think he used laughing gas or something. She struggled a bit but eventually she was out."
"Where is she now?" Lance demanded.
"In the infirmary. Warren's analyzing the situation and trying to come up with some way to help this but frankly, he's as stumped as me."
Lance rubbed his temple. "This mess just gets thicker and thicker." He looked to Wanda.
Lorna smiled apologetically and resumed pouring orange juice into sipi-cups. "I wish I could magically answer the problem. I figured it would be best to take the kids in here to avoid further confusion. Especially from that one." She subtly pointed to Remy, who was still blinking in a failing attempt to wake up. "They seem close. I don't want him getting confused. I mean, I don't know how to explain this to myself, let alone her four-year-old best friend."
Lance nodded in agreement. "I should go talk to the doctor, see if there's anything I can do. The other guys will be in soon, keep them down here."
"There's food. Daniels won't leave that alone." Wanda said groggily. Her blue eyes showed their owner's exhaustion at half mast and her short hair was everywhere. "I'm coming with you." She sat up, yawning.
"Wanda, I don't think that's a good idea." Lance furrowed his eyebrows. "You handled her last night."
"Yea and my powers are the only humane way to hold her in place to administer sedative." She pointed out, rubbing her eyes.
"Point noted." Lance rolled his eyes. "But what about you, Wanda, since we got responsible for twelve little kids, you have been going non-stop. You need a break."
"You've been on the same schedule." She snapped. "What about what you need Lance?"
"I slept last night." He said patiently. "You didn't."
"That's not the point." Wanda grumbled as she stood up. "I'm coming end of story."
Lance rolled his eyes. "Alright. Lorna, we'll be right back."
Lorna nodded with a mildly confused expression. She couldn't tell if these two were just like that by nature or what but he sure got protective when it came to her.
Lance got halfway to the infirmary before turning around. "Remy, are you sure you don't want to go eat breakfast?" He asked warily.
The little boy stared up at him with wide eyes. "Not wifout M'rie." He shrugged. "She need brefes too." He held out the Styrofoam tray with the remains of his pancakes and scrambled eggs. "See? Remy bring her his brefes. She no be hungry la'er." He rationalized.
Lance reached to ruffle Remy's hair. The four-year-old scowled and threw his hands over his head. "We talked bout dis afore. Y' don' touch Remy's hairs! Remy don' fink it be dat hard. What don' y' git boud it!"
Wanda laughed at Lance's expense and took the tray from the boy, telling him how thoughtful he was.
Lance shook his head. "Look, Marie isn't feeling good right now Remy. She might say something mean. I'm sure she doesn't want to hurt your feelings."
The demon-eyed child shook his head. "She be Remy's bestes' ami in de worl'. If she no feel bien, Remy gotta make sho' she be okay." He said solemnly.
Wanda exchanged a glance with Lance and took Remy's hand. "Come on, let's go see how Marie is doing right now."
Remy practically skipped to the infirmary with the two tired teens.
Lance entered the room, unsure what to expect. He could hardly contain his shock upon seeing Rogue's three-year-old body strapped to a bed against the wall with restraints holding her tiny body down. She looked up, a scowl in blue eyes.
"You know, you'll never get away with this. When this puny body comes out of this drug induced haze, I'll break these bonds. Nothing will stop me from going home after I break your neck, bitch." She growled at Wanda.
Lance's eyes widened at the language choice. It sounded so...wrong coming out of a three-year-old. Even a three-year-old Rogue.
"How dare you do this to me! Let me up!" She snapped.
Wanda examined her nails and determined she needed a fresh coat of black. "Well, until you give Marie back her body, I'm afraid I can't do that."
"Look here you gothic pain in the ass! Untie me right now or so help me God..."
"Ohh a blond is threatening me. I'm terrified." Wanda said in a bored monotone. Carol let off a string of swears and horrible phrases that would have made a sailor blush. The girl turned violent and started screaming, lunging at the others, and throwing a tantrum.
"I just wanna go home for God's sake! I didn't do anything to deserve this! I don't want to be stuck in this bratty baby body! LET ME GO!."
Remy climbed up onto the chair near her. "M'rie, what be wrong?" He asked in a small voice.
"MY NAME IS CAROL!" She spat at the boy. "And I'll tell you what's wrong! I don't want to be here! I don't want to sit around in this f-ing body listening to these f-ing losers worry about how to get the stupid little she-dog back. NOBODY CARES ABOUT ME, WHAT I WANT, WHAT I NEED DAMMIT! I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THESE FREAKS! ESPECIALLY A BRAT WITH DEMON EYES!"
Remy jerked back like she'd slapped him. His dark eyes brimmed with tears and Wanda rushed to his side.
"Shhh, Remy, it's alright. That isn't your friend Marie. That's Carol."
The child looked at her miserably. "No, Marie doesn't like me no mo'." He said sadly. "That why she callin herself Carol. She don' wanna hafta be m' friend anymore. It be cuza m'eyes, y'know." He sighed. "Dis kinda fing alays happens. Nobody likes Remy's eyes."
"Oh Remy, it's not that, really." Lance said gently. The little boy looked crushed. "Carol took over Marie's mind. Marie would never be so mean to you. You're her best friend."
"Y' ain' lyin'?" Remy asked suspiciously.
"Of course not," Wanda said sharply as she held Rogue's body down with her powers. Warren was forcing a gas mask over the girls face. "Marie likes you for being you, and it doesn't matter what yours eyes look like. Not to any of us."
"Y' jus' sayin' dat t' make me feel better." Remy sighed. He watched in morbid fascination as the relaxant started working on the body of his friend. She struggled and her eyes dilated before she sighed and closed tear filled eyes
"I am dreadfully sorry." Warren looked concerned. "I didn't realize she was running out of sedative so soon. I went to go make some coffee and I never realized this would happen." He apologized.
"It's not your fault. That Carol is one vicious little she-dog." Wanda scowled at the sleeping body of Marie.
"Yo' aposta watch yo' mout'." Remy said softly.
"We cannot blame her for being rather cranky." Warren pointed out gently. "She's being restrained against her will in a place she has no desire to be in, as well as the fact that she's currently in the body of a three year old."
Wanda bit her lip. "Still, it's not like we want her here."
Warren sighed. "I have things under control, why don't you two go head down to breakfast?"
Wanda frowned. "I already ate."
"And I'm not hungry." Lance stated firmly. "Why did that Carol girl get such a strong control of Marie?"
"I can only estimate." Warren sighed. "My guess is that Marie is a very head strong three year old and somehow managed to remain in control of her mind while she was awake. When she fell asleep her mind was open and vulnerable to Ms. Danvers' attack."
Lance sighed and gently stroked Rogue's hair. "Poor girl. She must be so scared."
Dr. Worthington nodded.
"Do you think there's anyway to force Carol to let Marie back into control?"
"I would have thought that the sedative would have done that, but it doesn't seem there is a way to achieve that until Ms. Danvers actually wants to give up control."
Wanda and Lance both looked really disheartened.
"Look, you two need to go take care of the others. I will do all I can."
They nodded. "Do you need anything?" Wanda asked timidly.
"Breakfast would be wonderful." He smiled and a pink tinge raced across her cheeks.
"Alright." She smiled and ducked out of the room. Lance followed suit, shaking his head. Remy trailed Lance with one last sad look at Marie.
Lance was walking back to the kitchen, holding Remy's hand when the doorbell rang. With an irritated sigh, he and the four-year-old headed to the door. He opened it and found himself facing a disgruntled young lady who peered at him anxiously from the door step.
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And as much as you know I hate leaving you on a cliff hanger... ok ok admittedly its a deliberate ploy to hold attention...but anyway, next chapter's gonna be really really big and this chapter would have been double the length had I done all of it, not to mention the fact that it woulda been twice the wait, so I hope you can forgive me. Also please do not think that the new rule makes me not want reviews, really I do and I promise I will reply to any signed review ASAP. That said, please read and review, thank you.
finis December 9th 2005
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