A/N - yeah, I suppose it's been a tic. I haven't forgotten about the bridges I'm building in this one, or the tension, so if you're an old reader or a new one, I could apologize for plot bunnies taking me for a ride... but I won't. Instead, I'll try once again to focus on this when I have a moment to and hammer this sucker out because honestly, even I'm tired of waiting for my own updates. Carry on!


Chapter 16: Ontario


Scott had been completely horrified with himself and what he'd had to say, and then stunned into speechlessness just when he was starting to recover when Jean had slipped in the same manner. He could blame his slip in control on his own building frustrations and concerns over the direction the team and his family were taking, but Jean … she never snapped at K like that. Ever. It had him attempting to analyze everything that had been going wrong, all the hot tempers, all the anger … but he couldn't focus on that, and he couldn't remember when it had started and it all just felt … normal. As if the interlude since K's arrival with the team hadn't eased things for Scott and Logan at all.

It felt wrong to hand wave all the changes that had come to pass with her and the kids.

But they weren't what had irritated Scott. The kids hadn't done anything wrong. They had helped far more than Scott realized they could and now he was starting to panic as he realized that Logan was starting to act like he had always acted for years when the two of them didn't see eye to eye.

And he had no idea how to slow that freight train down. He never could figure that out, so to see it happening with Logan's family along for the ride … Scott hadn't felt like he was at risk for losing so much in a long time. But he had no way to voice that concern. Every time he tried to quantify anything with those two, it spiraled out of control.

He needed to figure out what to say to Logan. Or K. Or both of them - separately of course. But all he could do was waffle between reminding himself that K had said that the kids were safe with them … while that little voice in the back of his head kept whispering to him that was before he'd pissed them both off and driven them to the Avengers.


"Canada's dumb," James said from his car seat - his arms crossed over his chest and a pout on his face that his twin sister was simply patting his arm for.

"I know, sweetheart, but it's pretty this time of year," K said, smiling to herself at how irritated their little boy was with his father's conclusion.

"It's not dumb," Logan said tiredly, only to shake his head to himself when James and Rose both shot back with a witty, yet age appropriate 'UH HUH'. He turned toward K as the kids started to come up with more and more creative words for dumb … and gross. "This is on you."

"You bet your sweet ass it is," she agreed with a smirk. "They're geniuses."

The border crossing had taken place at an unmanned post and all five of them had been wearing image inducers … just in case. It was a little too risky for them to be seen with children, after all - but with the Howlett family on the outs with the Summerses … and pretty much everyone else in Westchester … the options for safe havens were remarkably slim.

One of their cabins would be great if they didn't know they had people looking for them - and Logan wasn't overly worried about being caught when it was just him … or even him and K, but with the kids involved, that could only end in disaster for everyone concerned. Which was why the recon had to be done while the kids were kept safe. With friends.

All three little Howletts had fallen asleep for the last couple hours of the drive, but one by one, they all perked up when the car's tires hit the dirt on the two track off the gravel road leading deeply into the woods.

It wasn't like their usual places to hide. For one thing, there were clearly cottages and cabins dotted all along the dirt two-track. Sparse, but still far more than they were used to seeing for family outings. For another, it was plain that there were telephone poles and power lines … something else that wasn't very common where they usually stayed. So, by the time they pulled into the long, winding driveway that ended with a view of the pristine lake, all three kids were awake and wondering what was happening.

The engine shut off and the sounds of loons calling out over the water echoed through the trees as Logan and K got out - and opened the door to get the three kids. K had Rose tucked into her shoulder and Abby holding on to her jeans as Logan picked up James - who uncharacteristically clung to him rather than push to be let down to run.

The door to the cabin opened and a pair of figures stepped out - silhouetted by the bright, warm light inside, even though it wasn't quite dark out.

"I can't believe you're here," the woman said in a bright tone before she rushed forward to say hello properly - first to K and the girls, and then to Logan and James, who tried to duck the kiss on the cheek by burying himself into his father's neck.

And before much more could be said, Claire Hudson had rushed over with a giggle to take Abbey's hand - and the two of them zipped off.

"Well at least we know the older girls will be fine," Mac said as he tried to win over the twins. Rose smirked at him but kept a hold of her mother. James picked up his head to watch Mac suspiciously for a moment before he tucked back into Logan. "Come on in - we need to hear what's got you two anxious."

"Just the usual ruckus," Logan said as they headed in with the women leading the way and the guys taking up the back.

Heather was already chatting with K and Rose - trying to win back some of the fun and trust that she'd enjoyed in the short time that the family had visited with them over the summer. But Mac was on edge. It wasn't like Logan to look for help until it was already a big deal. His family showing up so soon after a visit couldn't be good news - and he had already decided that he'd be damned if he let the department near those kids.

What Mac didn't know yet was that Logan was counting on it.


The weekend flew by and Scott knew even before the message came through that Logan and K weren't going to be back in time for classes. He'd more or less assumed as much with how they'd left, though his feelings about it had wildly vacillated between anger and panic.

To start with, he'd tried to just enjoy the more focused time with his family, but … he ended up entirely unable to sleep that first night. He was angry as he thought about how he was losing sleep over Logan's ongoing stupidity. But then, his mind began to wander as he considered the fact that he hadn't gotten his debrief. He also hadn't looked at K's intel. And they left acknowledging that they would discuss it in code.

Something was up, and he needed to know the risk factor for the school and his family.

Pretty soon, his foot wouldn't stop jiggling, though he didn't notice it until Jean blearily turned his way and reached over to pat his chest.

"Go on. You won't sleep anyhow, so you might as well see what it is that's got them riled up," Jean said in a smoky, sleepy tone.

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure, Mr. Summers," she said before she stole a kiss - and then sprawled out across the middle of the bed the instant he was out of bed.

Scott smirked to himself, but Jean had plainly made it clear that he wasn't going to get back into bed without disturbing her - and he'd done that enough already. She needed her rest, and if she wanted to be a hilarious bed hog while she managed to do just that … he'd indulge her. Of course he would.

He started up a pot of coffee when he hit the kitchen and only had to shoo one student off to the dorms that was up late reading in the living room. The data stream K had compiled would still be collecting - even if they weren't there to read it, so Scott wanted to see what was so pressing. He nearly burned himself by knocking over his mug when he saw the orders to capture the two of them on sight - with a planned ambush outside of Avengers Tower.

Only … the buzz hadn't escalated and there was nothing about having captured or even found them. Which was good. But … they were supposed to have gone to the tower.

With his jaw working tighter with every line he read, Scott became more anxious to reach out and find out what the hell was going on. He glanced at the clock and swore outright when he saw that it was two in the morning. No one would likely be up that could help him … Hank was probably in bed, if only just - and he already had the Avengers pissed off at him for doing his job and watching out for his fami- his team. He was watching out for his team.

He only lasted another twelve seconds before he texted Hank anyhow to see if there had been any kind of hubbub at the Tower that he hadn't heard about … or if Logan and K had mentioned when they were coming back. He hadn't expected a call from Hank moments later.

"Apparently, I am out of the loop yet again," Hank said tiredly instead of his usual greeting. "How, pray tell, would I know what Logan and K are planning to do?"

Scott frowned. "They were supposed to go to the tower for the weekend-"

"Yes, but they never showed," Hank said, quick to continue before Scott could panic. "The illustrious Miss Romanova was kind enough to let me know that she warned them off of coming here with the children."

Scott thought about it for a second as Hank tried to teasingly reassure him. "Then where the hell are they?"

Hank stumbled over his words. "I … was under the impression that they had returned to Westchester … oh my." Scott could hear Hank moving quickly on the other end of the line. "I shall see if our Black Widow has any insight as to their whereabouts. Do not panic, Scott. They could simply be doing as Logan once did so often."

"That's exactly what I'm concerned about," Scott said dryly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll see what I can find, too. My ringer is off, but my phone is on."

"I'll be in touch soon," Hank said just before hanging up and rushing off to see if any of the Avengers were awake that could give him anything useful.


Jean woke up when Rachel climbed in with her for snuggles - and even then it took a little while for her to register that Scott wasn't in bed. She picked up her head and looked around the room, frowning. She was incredibly tired even after a good night's sleep. With a stifled yawn, Jean reached out to find Scott. He had to be either making breakfast or utterly lost in his frantic search for the Howlett family. And she was pretty sure she knew the answer to that one without digging too deeply.

With a sigh, she got up and started to get dressed … if he was that stressed out, she thought that perhaps it was better if he was allowed a little mental privacy. His freakouts over Logan always gave her a headache anyhow simply because he was incapable of talking with Logan civilly. And she couldn't figure out why that was so hard for him or her lately. She could blame her miscommunication on the pregnancy - the hormones, the mood swings and the overly emotional responses to everything

Maybe Scott was having sympathy symptoms. She smirked to herself at the thought then once she was dressed and ready for the day - and had hit the bathroom once more - she got Rachel ready as well. They walked to the kitchen quietly with Rachel singing to herself off-key and butchering the words to The Itsy Bitsy Spider until the spider was wearing an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini and going down a water slide.

Clearly, the games she'd been playing with James and Rose were peeking through into her songsmithing.

The thought left Jean frowning for a moment as she once again worried about Rachel growing up without kids her own age. She turned the corner into the kitchen then stood there in silent alarm when she saw that Scott was passed out asleep at the table - resting his head on his crossed arms.

"Sweetheart," she said softly before she nudged his shoulder. "Please don't tell me you slept here all night."

Scott woke up slowly, one hand over his glasses to ensure that they weren't going to slip off at an inopportune time - but once he'd established that, he woke up fast - just as confused as Jean was. "No," Scott started to say, looking around him quickly. His heart was racing and he had no idea why. Everything looked normal, except for the fact that he knew he'd been on his way to go through K's intel. "...I couldn't have been asleep for long… I was-"

He cut himself short as he thought about it, projecting the rest of his jumbled thoughts to Jean. I don't remember being in the kitchen for more than a few minutes. He fumbled for his phone then swore when he saw the battery was dead. Hank was supposed to call me back - I don't remember talking to him. He was checking- He let out a sigh and looked up at Jean, the overwhelming sense of confusion pushing on him hard enough that it was distracting in and of itself. "I don't remember falling asleep."

"You've been exhausted," Jean pointed out, then gave him a quick kiss that seemed to defuse him. Or at least made him relax a little. "You've been so busy looking out for the team and the school and me-"

"Not in that order," Scott said, smirking to himself at his own little bit of sass that had Jean smiling openly.

"No, not in that order," she agreed. "My point is that you're exhausted."

"Don' wanna go," Rachel said, her chubby little arms crossed over her chest as she dropped down on her bottom - little red curls bouncing with the impact.

Scott smiled in spite of himself - his concerns quickly forgotten in the face of his adorable toddler. "I didn't say we were going to go anywhere, sweetheart."

"Don' wanna."

Scott ran his hand over her hair then offered to pick her up - which Rachel gladly leaned into. "We don't have to go anywhere," Scott said, kissing the side of her head as he looked over at Jean with a smile. I wasn't planning to leave - were you?

With classes going on? Not a chance.

Then where did she get the idea … Scott sighed, automatically thinking of the Howletts ditching out in the middle of the school year really going well. I think she may have picked up a few bad habits already.

I think she just wants to stay home. Like someone else I know.

Maybe, Scott agreed, still slowly rocking while Rachel leaned heavily on him. I'm still going to need to look at the intel that they found. And talk to Hank. Something's up and we need to make sure the school is safe.

After breakfast, Jean said, walking past him to get things going. If it was urgent, Hank would have called someone else when he couldn't get through.

You're right - as usual, Mrs. Summers. Scott set Rachel up for her breakfast, and before he could get his coffee, he was once again plagued by a niggling doubt in the very back of his head that something was terribly wrong.


In Avenger's Tower, things were … not at all up to their usual level of subdued seriousness. Tony and Steve had busied themselves with the new school and were still on the west coast with the tiny group of students that they'd managed to secure for the half-opened school. They had roped several old Avenger's contacts into helping out - and had all but absorbed the West Coast Avengers by utilizing them as teachers and mentors for the tiny student body.

Hank knew all of this very well. But he couldn't remember why Tony had taken such a keen interest in this project that had previously been almost entirely monopolized by Steve.

He stood there for a long moment staring at his phone. He'd been about to call someone, but he couldn't place who it was, and for the life of him, all Hank could think of was that he had to get back to his research. He was on the precipice of unlocking some fascinating secrets regarding how the x-gene had sprang into existence and how it was doing so randomly. He didn't know how he knew that, but he knew it was … just there on the very tip of his tongue. He could almost taste it, he was so close …

He took careful stock of himself and his surroundings, double checked his call history, which didn't show any activity for the last few days, and then he let his concerns disappear in favor of the progress of science. Whatever it was he was forgetting would return to him … eventually.