Chapter 37- Therapist In Law


Even though all the reunions had been a lot, Kate did find herself wanting to go find her own family after all of that, so once they were back in New York, she and Nate swung by her parents' apartment.

Lucky immediately came to greet them and followed them both around until Nate sat on the couch, at which point he immediately lay down on Nate's feet.

"You're claimed," Lexi teased him, and Nate shrugged easily, setting David down so he could go play with Clint, which was what he clearly wanted to do, seeing as he was practically throwing himself out of Nate's arms.

"Don't need your powers to tell me that," Nate said.

"How'd the vacation go?" Clint asked as he scooped David up and dangled him upside down, getting huge giggles and shouts of "Again! Again!"

"Can't you tell by the tan lines?" Kate asked, smirking as she slipped over to stand by her mom, not quite in the middle of the action but still close enough that she could be with everyone.

Clint laughed as he made a show of pulling David's collar slightly. "Somehow, this kid has a farmer tan. Must be your genes, Nate. Or mine coming through somehow," he added, and Kate laughed and rolled her eyes at him.

"Definitely yours," Nate agreed.

As Clint and David got more ridiculous, Kate leaned over to her mom. "Where's Jimmy?"

"Well, his sister busted him out on having a crush, and he turned invisible to hide from the embarrassment, so there's no telling when he'll come out," Natasha said, though her tone said she wasn't worried.

Kate grinned. "Oooh, a crush, huh?"

"She's two years older and not the least bit interested, but…" Natasha's eyes danced with laughter. "He's like your father: he shoots out of his league."

"He just needs to get a little older before he can shoot those shots, huh?" Kate laughed.

Natasha nodded, watching as Lexi got roped into the ridiculousness, because David had said "Wex" and clearly, Lexi couldn't deny the little boy anything when she hadn't heard him say her name before. "How are you doing, really?" Natasha asked Kate under her breath.

Kate bit her lip. "Better," she decided at last.

"That's something."

"Yeah, I've already got an appointment with Doc Hale lined up," Kate admitted. "Rachel broke the brainwashing stuff while we were out, and Nate's been helping a lot, but…"

"But there's a lot more to it than telepathy can fix," Natasha agreed. She was quiet as Clint, Lexi, and David moved out of the living room to spoil the kid with snacks in the kitchen - and Nate graciously pretended to be occupied petting Lucky so the two of them could chat in relative privacy. "We didn't have much of a chance to talk when you got home," she said.

Kate grimaced. "I know."

They were quiet again before Natasha said, "You know, you embarrassed Hydra on a world stage when you went to Jameson."

Kate blinked. "...what?"

"They're open about what they do, yes, but you went public with a horror story and still went on to be essentially the public face of the X-Men."

"You've been digging," Kate said, shaking her head. "Mom, I don't think… I don't think that was what it was about."

"No, he definitely inherited his mother's propensity for obsession." She sighed. "But I did tell Rachel to keep me informed. And I know that, for a while at least, you were prepared to defend Hydra. And I wonder if that's easier to deal with if you know it's because you're so good in front of a camera that they wanted to wreck your image. Along with everything else."

Kate wrapped her arms around herself, holding onto her elbows. "I mean, they did. Not the way he wanted it to go, but… I'm off the team."

"Temporarily."

"Sure." She smiled tightly. The whole time, she and her mom had been facing forward, watching their family instead of facing each other. "I don't know, Mom. It's like all the work I put in… it's like when I got home from Latveria, I was getting home from Madripoor too. I feel like I'm back at Square Negative One."

"I'm sure." Natasha finally turned to face her, obviously searching her expression and her body language. "If you'd like," she said, "you and I should set regular times to spar. You're off the team for now, but there's no reason for you to lose that work. Your father wants to take you to the range too."

Kate knew exactly what her parents were doing, and yet she found herself melting all the same. "Love you guys," she said, and Natasha smiled, brushing her hair out of her face before she heard a small thump and a shriek of laughter from David.

"We'd better see what they're up to," Natasha said, and Kate laughed.


James honestly didn't know what to do with himself once the disaster with Azazel was over. The press was blissfully unaware at the major upset that the X-Men had gone through … again. Tony was taking it easy on him simply because … well, though he had his timeline he wanted to see through, he didn't want to pressure the kid any more than he already had been. He was keenly aware that these kids needed a break. So, he backed off on pushing for more appearances for the company's sake and instead advocated for James to pick what - if anything - he wanted to do.

At first, James had tried not doing much of anything at all, but in no time, he found that he couldn't relax and he was getting antsy looking for anything to do. So, he started working on the projects he'd been ignoring at the tower … and zipped through them in record time. Which meant he needed to pick something else.

And … Annie and Leslie Ann both had started to drop hints that they wanted just a few more lessons. So he floated over to the school to make himself available … and peck away at his other two dissertations that needed finishing when no one wanted to approach. Generally.

"Fancy seeing you around," Craig said as James headed for the Danger Room. It looked like Craig was headed there, too - though he had Chance with him and was probably the designated babysitter and just staying close in case Chance got hungry.

"They're slow-walking me, so … gotta find something to do," James replied.

"Pretty sure that's the girls' complaint: being slow-walked. I think Leslie Ann broke down in tears about the Avengers age being raised to eighteen after the thing with the department, you know."

"I'd apologize for it to her, but seeing as they killed me, I think it's probably a valid argument against a lower age," James said.

"You know, I said something to that effect and she accused me of siding with her dad, so there goes my Cool Uncle title," Craig chuckled.

"I mean … did she have any other options?" James teased. "How many uncles was she juggling again?"

"I mean, it was just me until Scott came along, but that's not the point," Craig laughed.

"I think it might be," James replied as they walked along. "So … are you supervising or just … what?"

"I've got a few different hats on today," Craig laughed easily. "Chance still thinks I'm the cool uncle, for one thing," he said, jostling the little guy in his arms. "And Annie asked me to help her get her husband to stop catastrophizing and let her on the damn team already - her words."

"Oh, well, it's technically not his call, so, there's that," James said.

"He definitely has a big influence on the final call. But yes, she is aware she technically has to also get Steve's okay," he laughed.

James wrinkled his nose up. "I thought that was for younger members only? And I quit Avengering, so …"

"She wants to check all the boxes. And Jan wants her over all the time anyway."

James nodded at that. "Okay. If that's what she wants to do."

"I think she's been pretty clear that she'd be a reserve with the Avengers but that she's totally on board for any training they can give her," Craig admitted.

"She hasn't told me what she wants to do other than keep training."

Craig blew out all his breath. "I don't think she knows. I think she likes the idea of the team and of fighting alongside your dad… and the reality of it worries her, so she can't quite get past the idea of it to make plans."

"So you're going to watch today, then?" James asked.

"That's the plan. Trying to help her figure it out and keep my promise to tell her husband to get with the program."

James nodded, already deciding on a course of action to get Annie to think a little harder … or frustrate her horribly. When he got to the Danger Room where Annie was already warming up, he simply stepped inside while Craig headed up to the observation booth with Chance. "You okay?" he asked her as the doors closed behind him and he made his way over to a control panel at the wall to start working up the sim he had in mind.

"Better than usual, actually. Three days in a row of a full night's sleep. Knock on wood," she added, knocking on the bench with a warm smile.

"Your brother's hovering today," James told her. "I think he's hiding behind Chance so he doesn't have to help." He knew that by that time, Craig was in the booth and could hear everything perfectly well.

"I figured he was using the baby as a way to lure people into thinking he's cuddly so he can Therapist Pounce on them," she teased toward the booth.

"Then it's probably good that I don't fall for that kind of thing," James said before he stepped closer and let his tone drop low enough she had to listen to hear him. "If you're all warmed up, I have an idea. But … if you don't want to try something new, just say so."

"I'm all warmed up. Let's try it," she said, bouncing slightly on her toes.

James nodded at that and called out his codes to get the sim started. As it usually did for him, the room dimmed down to a much lower light and holographic people started to appear more or less all around them. "I still haven't looked at Storm's notes on what you've been doing or not, but … how about we just work on a little capture the flag?" He tipped his chin toward the far end of the room where it was obvious that Steve was standing. "The name of the game is steal the frisbee. Word of advice … go for the legs."

Annie blinked several times. "...you… want me … to steal Captain America's shield?"

"Mmhmm."

"Why?"

"Um … because it's there?"

Annie blinked again and then laughed and shoved his shoulder. "No, seriously."

"Seriously. It's fun. I promise."

"O…kay. Powers or no?"

"Ladies' choice."

Annie bit her lip and then nodded. "I'd actually like to try it with the powers on. I've gotten better at being offensive with telepathy."

James gestured with one arm. "After you. The evil plan was to distract him with the fight that'll be happening anyhow … and get his security blanket when he's under the impression that you're not a threat. So, I'll just back you up and make sure no one sideswipes you on your way."

"Perfect. Let's go, then," Annie said, closing her eyes for only a second to center herself and open her mind before she rushed forward. She wasn't as fast as Nate was, but James could see her turning attentions away as people in the crowd were suddenly looking elsewhere. A few surprised her, and she reacted well - James called out a few reminders on form, but honestly, she was leaps and bounds better than when they'd started.

Eventually, she got up to Steve and wiped her sweaty hair away from her face, panting as she came to stand next to him.

"Legs," James whispered.

In a second, Annie said. He could see her focus to concentrate before, without seeming to realize he was doing it, Steve loosened the straps on his shield - and then Annie swept his legs and grabbed it, nervously laughing as she took off running and half shouted at James, "What are we even doing?"

"Trying to have a little fun," James called back to her before he tackled Steve sideways before he could catch up to Annie.

Annie let out another nervous laugh but kept running. And under stress, James could see that she was much faster on the telepathic uptake. It didn't take her as long to make people look away. And when she was surprised and reflexively slammed someone with the edge of the shield, she blinked and let out a far more genuine laugh before she took off running again.

They got back to where they'd started, and then, the sim died and Annie was left panting - and then shoved James' shoulder again. "That was so much fun don't do that to me."

"Wasn't that better than just drills?" James teased.

Annie shook her head at him, though she was smiling as she grabbed her water bottle. "I got that forced command to work, too."

"Sure did," he agreed. "I'm sending that to Dad, by the way."

"Good." She sat down and gestured for him to join her. "Do you know… he's blocked me from peeking, but do you think … how close am I, I guess I want to ask?"

"To what? Joining up somewhere? As close as you want to be, I think."

"Good." She wiped her hair out of her face again. "I got to help, you know. In Genosha. I think I like it."

James nodded. "And if you change your mind, you can always back out." He took his phone out and got started on sharing the video … first with Nate and Kate, and then to Scott and Storm.

Annie bit her lip as she watched James. "I think," she said softly, "that the classes I'm teaching will … I think they'll be my priority."

"Okay," James replied in a perfectly reasonable tone.

"I've been a teacher forever," she said. "But I want to do this as well."

"Alright," he said once more keeping his tone approachable. "You decide the level you want to involve yourself. That's always the case."

"I'd like to not involve myself in fighting Captain America," she teased.

"I just go hit people. I don't get to decide who we fight and who we don't. If Cap gets his head lodged up his ass, someone will have to fix that for him," he teased.

"That's what you siblings are for," she shot back.

"Mine bicker and need to be talked out of the trees," he argued.

"True." Annie leaned back against the wall. "Can you send that on to Kate?"

"Already done," he promised.

"Thanks. I know there's not an official leader, but…"

"All I know is that it's not Rachel, even if she's the loudest," James said.

"It's you and Kate, you know. At least for the younger team members," she said, her tone warmer and more genuine.

"Then you'd want to deal with us anyhow. You're too young for the others."

She laughed. "The age gap isn't that bad, but I appreciate the flattery."

"It is," he argued. "And I'm pretty sure Nate and Kate called dibs, so …"

"Okay, I'm sure you're right that they called dibs, but I still maintain that the age gap is less than ten years, so it's fine."

"Dad still half argues that he's not on the team, so …"

"He does that less when I give him the stink eye."

"I think if I threaten to do something stupid he'll argue it harder the other way."

"I think you should not give your father a heart attack," she said and bumped his shoulder.

"Yeah, I"m not trying to," he promised as Craig and Chance came in to see how Annie was doing after her run - and Chance was very excited to see his mom after that. .

Craig grinned as he handed his nephew over and then put a hand on James' shoulder. "Hey, by the way, been meaning to ask you when I can see you officially. After all that crap…"

James watched him for a long moment, decided against the easy tease, and shrugged. "I'm not really running by a schedule right now."

"Great. I'll put it on your calendar, since you don't have anything else."

"You'll probably be doing all the talking."

Craig broke into a crooked smile - since even having a session was still an improvement. "We'll see," he said, already pulling up his calendar on his phone and sending the official scheduling email to James.

He thinks he can challenge me, or he just really likes the sound of his own voice? James projected to Annie. Just to see if she'd get a little smile.

Yes, she said, her laughter evident in her mental voice too.

He's still been conspiring with Toby, hasn't he? Because that's one of his moves.

Oh yeah. He and Toby have become fast friends. I tried to tease him about it and he gave me a speech about how adults need best friends too.

What are the chances that he brings Toby in, too?

Not for the first session. He's just thrilled you're not shrugging him off. But … chances are high down the road. Toby would love to check on you anyway.

Maybe.

At the risk of putting a thumb on the wrong scale, I am glad you didn't shrug him off. You've been through hell, the lot of you. In your case literally.

Yeah, that's why I'm not telling him to stuff it. There's got to be something wrong with my head at this point. And it wasn't great to start with.

Annie was quiet for a long time before she took a few running steps their way and pulled James into as much of a hug as she could one-handed. Love you, she said - as Chance immediately tried to grab onto James

"Love you too," James said, tipping Craig off if he hadn't known already that they were chatting without him. When Chance didn't let go, James just picked him up. He'd been avoiding the little ones for a while just because of the messes they were in. And he was taking the advice to not turn the little ones down if he could avoid it.

Annie laughed as she watched Chance beam up at James. "Oh, he loves you to bits."

"He doesn't know any better, yet," James countered, automatically playing with him without thinking about it.

"Well, don't give him a reason to stop," Annie said reasonably. "You're obviously great with him. And your other younger brother adores you. I think we're fine."

"Oh, hey, Craig?" James said, turning to walk backwards while Chance pulled on his hair. "I may be saying okay to a sit down, but it's not going to be in an office."

"Fine by me," Craig said easily.

"Somewhere with good coffee and food seems reasonable," James said, knowing for sure that it was just a matter of time before Toby joined in.

"Not a fan of trying to have therapy in public."

"There are quiet places if you know where to look," James argued. "And we can grab and go, too."

Craig thought about it and then nodded at last. "Alright. I think I know a spot."

James nodded, then shifted his focus back to Chance - pretending to bite at his hands with a growl that had the kid gasping for air as he giggled.


"So," Billy said as he dropped onto the couch next to Tommy in Tommy's room, "I know how to get Mia's ring size."

"Hi, Billy. What scandal do you need to distract people from noticing by getting me married? Had those kids already?" Tommy shot back without missing a beat.

"Wow," Billy said, long and drawn out.

"What, can't take what you're dishing?"

"More like I can't believe you're that defensive that quick. Didn't you get a blessing from the other side and everything?"

"You're the one who cares about that kind of thing, not me."

Billy didn't say anything other than to tip his head almost entirely sideways with a look that Tommy knew meant he didn't believe him.

Tommy blew a raspberry and waved his hand at Billy. "Okay, how about this," he said. "I'll keep the kid teasing off your back if you keep the engagement teasing off of mine."

"Similar reasons?" Billy asked, leaning toward his brother when he realized this was more serious than he meant it to be.

"I don't have a wish in the wings if that's what you mean."

"But it's hard to tease when it's the truth, right?"

Tommy leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah."

"Okay." Billy said, letting the topic drop for the moment, though he was already making a mental note to do what he could to clear Tommy's path.

Tommy always had his back; the least he could do was return the favor.


As it turned out, Craig suggested taking their coffee to go and had a good spot in mind - at Toby's suggestion, after a discreet text conversation between the two of them. Toby had suggested a place where he could commune with nature, so a short drive later and they were out in the trees. And that worked for Craig, because it also gave them privacy.

"I'm not expecting you to open up about all of it right off the bat or anything," Craig said at last to break the silence. "But I'm genuinely curious - beyond my official capacity. How are you taking losing the connection to Heaven?" He held up a hand. "I know you're not in the place you were before. And I'm glad to see that. But I'm sure it was also not a bad thing to see them that often, as distracting as it was. Or am I off base?"

"No, you're not off," James agreed, but didn't quite go so far as to confirm or deny anything further.

"Yeah." Craig shook his head. "I know you were able to speak with that other Logan and K, but having them around… that must have been at least some closure."

James considered him as he took a drink, then found a log to settle down on. "Yes and no," he decided, finally. "I had what amounted to months with them before Billy brought me back. And honestly, a lot of the crap I held against them was gone by the time that started."

"And whatever was left got addressed during those months, I'm sure," Craig surmised.

"Pretty much," James agreed, though he was looking at his boots.

"And then you had to say goodbye again."

James nodded. "Yep. But just to them. I didn't see anyone else before it closed down."

"Would you have wanted to say goodbye to more than that?"

"Wouldn't you?"

"Yeah, of course. My parents. My cousin. My best friend growing up. Got a whole list," Craig said.

"Exactly."

"As I understand it, you were unconscious during the official goodbyes. So it was just you and your parents, then?"

"That's how it went," James said. "I got a tradeoff though. Because it was a dream - or close enough to one - I got to touch them, so …"

Craig was quiet and then smiled softly. "That must have meant the world."

"Yeah. Kind of hard to share though when the other goodbyes were lacking it."

"As I understand it, they still enjoyed themselves. Did Billy tell you about Magneto and Tommy?"

"We haven't talked much about all of it," James admitted.

"I talked with Kate earlier today, and to get out of talking about anything else, she told me about Tommy bringing her father-in-law to the reunions rather than talking to his grandfather," Craig said. "I can't seem to pin him down long enough to talk to him, but I know he's a mess, and I don't know how much that helped him."

James frowned to himself, but finally looked up at Craig. "Tommy will talk about when he's ready to. You can't force him in any way. He's working on it, though. I know it."

"Believe me: I know. But I also know Wanda magically made him sit down and talk to Magneto, so I've got reason to be worried."

"He spent most of his life feeling like he was an extra to Erik," James said. "I know Erik wanted to mend things. If he didn't screw it up, Tommy will get around to thinking it over."

"We can hope." Craig looked out toward the trees.

"He will."

Craig nodded. "And you?"

"What about me? I'm fine, remember?"

"Damn your father for teaching you that version of that word," Craig laughed.

James chuckled to himself. "I don't even know where to start."

"I'm sure." He paused. "I could give you options, questions I have and you tell me which one you're willing to answer."

With a heavy sigh, James gestured openly.

Craig chuckled under his breath. "It's a long list," he admitted.

"I'll bet. I don't even know when the last time I talked to you was or what it was about."

"Before Sinister," Craig said.

"After Emma?"

"That's where my notes end. We didn't talk about her, but you were worried about Annie."

James gave him a sideways look. "Did you study your notes before this?"

"Caught me," Craig said with a small smile.

"Annie seems to be alright," James said.

"She never thought she'd get to do this," Craig said, his smile immediately fond. "She's wanted to be a mother her whole life. She's happier than I've seen her in years, even if she's stressin' over wantin' to do it all."

"I can't do anything about that," James said - teasing Craig a little. "And it definitely wasn't my fault."

"Yeah, I give your dad a hard time regularly," Craig said. Then, slowly, he sighed. "It's been that long, though."

"I guess so." James straightened up with a deep breath. "So … ready to throw in the towel?"

"Not at all," Craig said. He smiled crookedly. "I'm just glad you're talking to me again. I feel bad. I'm technically, what, a step-uncle now? And you run away from me when you see me."

"You and your labels."

"Just sayin'." He shook his head. "I really do want to help."

"I know. It's just a lot. And my temper is a progressively shorter as time goes on."

"Well, like I said. We can pick topics and move through 'em at whatever pace we can. God forbid the list grows; think you can tell the supervillain world to shut up for a while 'til we're done?"

"That's what I've been sayin' for months anyhow." He shrugged. "The good press usually pushes them back for a while, though. Thanks, Tony."

"Well, barring another round of nonsense, we could start, I think, with Sinister. That's several topics on its own and dovetails into several other recent fiascos."

James nodded to himself. "Okay… what about him?"

"And I ask about him because…" Craig sighed. "I know everything involved with him and your family is complicated, and even more so because he was your teacher. And as I understand it from Scott, you did actually learn from him. He was brilliant. He was the best mind in that field. He was a torturer and a teacher; I can't imagine that was easy. Any of it."

"I didn't know who he was for a while," James said. "And I'm not really ready to share all of that with anyone."

"Alright." Craig held up a hand. "When you're ready, we'll get there."

"It's a touchy subject," James admitted.

"I'd like to not step on a third rail, then. Is it the operation or the relationship itself or the manipulation or all of the above?"

"Once I knew who he was, I knew the manipulation was going to be an issue," James said. "The operation … what do you know - first of all?"

"Only what I've been able to get out of Scott." He paused. "And some of what Annie is freaked out about, honestly. He keeps his mind closed, but she caught some of it when everyone came back from fighting Apocalypse and she was flooded with a hundred different traumas being projected."

"So next to nothing," James said slowly. "Dad thinks I assisted."

"Did you?"

"Depends on how you define it," James said, then turned toward Craig more squarely. "Essex couldn't do it."

"Why not? He invented the process, didn't he?"

James nodded. "His method worked, yeah, but he had Apocalypse in his head after he put Dad out and got started. He physically couldn't do it and keep the procedure a secret from Apocalypse."

"You did the whole thing," Craig said softly.

"He was protecting me, too."

"Adding yet another layer of complication to that relationship."

"I mean … he wasn't doing it for any reason other than he wanted to keep me as his assistant. More or less."

"Yes, but you were still protected. The reasons don't mean it wasn't complicated."

"He bodily blocked Apocalypse from touching me," James said. "It wasn't a small thing."

"Good lord." It didn't sound like he meant to blurt it out. He covered his eyes, sighed, and resettled himself. "Sorry."

"No, no. It's not like I broke my record this time, but hey … I still got the touch."

Craig chuckled dryly. "Gettin' more used to it the more I'm helpin' you heroes." He took a deep breath and let it out. "Are you going to tell Scott you did it all?"

"I don't know," James admitted. It was a lot easier than he'd expected to talk about Essex and the surgery when to him there was more distance and perspective. And those in Heaven had already done some of the heavy lifting there. Charles really could be great when he wanted to. "I think he knew it was more than what Essex told him, but I don't want to set him off." He nodded once. "And the important thing is that he's himself, and he's not blinded."

"I think he'd like to know the truth, eventually," Craig said. "It might be good for you not to carry it alone."

"Maybe," James said. "But, Sinister's dead. I don't want to drag that mess up unless it's necessary."

"I know you want to keep him safe," Craig agreed. "And there is a lot to be said for moving forward and leaving him buried."

"Burnt."

"Metaphor."

"Still. I need to remember that part."

"Right." Craig smiled softly. "I know we're only just finished with the repercussions of Billy's spell, but I'm sure coming back and finding out that Billy wished him onto the surface of Mercury was an experience."

James smiled to himself. "Everything about that was an experience."

"I'm sure." He set aside his coffee, which was cold now. "How are things with Billy?" he asked. "I hope I'm asking because I think you need something good in your life."

"I think we're doing a lot better," James said. "I hope so, anyhow."

"How are you feeling about it?" Craig asked. "I know things were… complicated. I know you were dating someone else for a time. I know Billy was upset - and that's putting it mildly."

"Well, like I said - it was months for me, and the only reason that even happened was because I wasn't coming back. They had plans to destroy my body so no one could use it." He watched Craig's reaction to that. "Yes. I knew what they were going to do. I was supposed to be with my father when it happened."

"I didn't realize - damn, no, of course I should've known. Your dad has a plan for every eventuality," Craig said, shaking his head at himself.

"Lorna and Wanda had the plan," James said, then let out a hollow laugh. "And honestly, it wasn't much different than what happened to Sinister if I think about it."

"I'm going to professionally advise you not to think of it that way, because even I had a visceral reaction to that," Craig said, pulling a face.

"Alright, but it's still true."

"Only on the surface. Method of death don't mean much about a person, my dad used to say. He said bullets come for the good ones and bad ones. Space comes for the good healers and bad healers." He made a face. "I think the metaphor got stretched there, but I stand by it."

"You're going to focus on that, aren't you?" James said, half seriously.

"More the fact that you're comparing yourself to him," Craig said. "And the fact that it's a third rail topic for you right now. Means there's more to it."

"It's just complex," James said. "And stupid. I honestly don't think it's as touchy as it could be."

"Most things with supervillains are, I've found," Craig chuckled. "I mean, the White Queen tried to murder me via police officer and brainwashed my sister, and that's the least of the things she did during that time."

"She … is pretty rank," James agreed.

"Glad your boyfriend depowered her, to be honest."

"Tony's been keeping her defunded, too. Little hobby of his."

"For good reason." Craig shook his head. "Eventually, I'd like to circle back to some of what happened with her, too. Just so you know. And what happened with Apocalypse. All of it. And the department. And Azazel. Not all today, mind you."

"The department is tied in with Essex," James said.

"How so?"

James scrunched his nose up as he let out a soft laugh. "He gave me to them."

"After defending you from Apocalypse?"

James nodded very slowly. "It … was to teach me a lesson. It didn't go the way he wanted, though. The Frost girls screwed that up for him, and he was livid."

"I did hear that much from Annie," Craig said. "She was around for that part. She's still shocked at herself for how that ultimately went - first fight since getting powers, all that."

"Yeah, well, we all have things to be shocked over with that," James grumbled.

"I'm sure." Craig got to his feet with a sigh. "Well, I've given you the very basic overview of what I'm hoping to talk to you about."

"Okay, then now is when I give you something to stew on," James said, simply because that was how it always worked before.

"Great. Your homework is to think about which thing you want to address next, and…"

"And your homework is to think about why it was such a blow when Essex turned on me. Wasn't as bad as when it was dad, but it was harsh."

Craig pressed his mouth into a thin line and looked like he already had thoughts there, but he simply nodded. "Alright then." He cleared his throat. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to take off my therapist hat now, just be Craig, and go on a walk with you. God knows I don't enjoy only being Doc Hale when you see me."

"Alright, but I don't want to have to carry you back," James warned.

"It ain't that hot," Craig laughed. "I was in the Army and did basic in Georgia heat."

"You're gettin' fragile in your elder years. Don't twist your ankle when you come down with tha vapors."

Craig laughed and purposefully made his accent worse. "You know how it is. I'm liable to need rescuin' an' all."

"I'll have to call your little sister in to save you."

"Long as it's not my brother-in-law. Never hear the end of it then."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure that's a two for one package. No returns. He'll fly her here then ask you fifty questions on what happened. Only thing missing will be the hot lamps in the dark room."

"Annie'll make me see 'em anyway," Craig laughed. "She on the team yet, by the way?"

"Depends on who you ask," James said. "Dad says 'not yet', but I say yes, so …"

"Who's still holding out besides my overprotective brother-in-law? I can hit him if need be," Craig offered, smirking.

"Honestly? Annie. She's letting him hold her back."

"Great. I'll get 'em both," Craig said. He shook his head. "Even if she ends up only going out every once in a while, she'll kick herself if she never even tries it out. And it's the summer; she's not teaching. What better time, Annie?" he asked the air.

"Don't push her, either. She'll get to it when she decides to. Or I'll just grab her on the way out the door before Dad can stop her one of these days."

"Would you please?" Craig said - genuinely serious.

"Already planned on it," James said. "Like setting her at Captain America."

Craig chuckled again, and the two of them traded a few more jabs and stories as they walked the path a bit before they headed back, leaving things better than usual after a session.