Sitcom Families Got Nothin' On the Brotherhood

*Written by Gale*

Author's Note: Horray, we're up to the what? Fifth book now? And I'm still goin! Big special thanks to ma buddy boy Nagisa for helping me script this. ^-^ You're the best, dude.

Prologue: Pass the Pissyness, Please

Birdy was only more than willing to volunteer to bring the prisoner into the dining hall. She was curious, after all. Since the incident the night before, the entire base was abuzz with the news: Magneto's current "guest" wasn't so much a flatscan as everyone made her out to be, not that she was Jill Normal to begin with. Everyone knew the story of how the Evers woman stood up to their Lord with nothing but her bare hands (and a crow bar) and won (with the aid of the Brotherhood.)

It infuriated poor Exodus whenever someone brought it up; but then again the Frenchman had his head so far up Magneto's ass that he couldn't see much of anything at all. She was pretty sure the man was not quite sane, and this wasn't in the sense that she liked, either. Victor, she could handle. He was beyond reason, but thankfully they thought in similar terms. Bennett du Paris was insane in the obsessive 'I cling to my One lame idea' way.

This was probably why Magneto had chosen to send *her* to get Evers over anyone else. Exodus' reasons already aside, there were only a few others:

Cortez's nose was broken, swollen now in a way that made Birdy think of Marsha Brady after getting beamed in the face with a football. Magneto didn't want him around her. It was because he'd retaliate or because she'd likely break something else.

Victor mentioned in passing that he smelled the Runt on her. Birdy only knew of Wolverine by reputation, and she chose not to pry into that part of the feral's life. Either way, she knew he hated the guy, and catching his scent on Evers could have been a dangerous thing. Plus, he wasn't the most trustworthy around women. Birdy scowled at the thought.

Magneto wouldn't do it. He'd taken to wearing his armor instead of the armani suit, which they tended to see him in on more relaxed days. Birdy couldn't blame him; not that she knew from personal experience or anything, but she would wear protection, too, if there was a Hellcat running around that'd likely kick her in the balls, repeatedly, for being a jerk. He'd also been walking a little funny since it happened, so he might not have wanted her to see that, either.

It was no secret that Birdy didn't much like Magneto, and he wasn't too fond of her, either. She was there because she'd been running around with Creed for the last six months, and the big lug needed her to give him psychic fixes every now and again. He told her about Magneto's evolution machine, and apparrently it reacted slightly differently to ferals as compared to other mutants, because it'd left him defuncted in more ways than one. Sometimes he'd lose himself, so she was there to bring him back. Plus, Magneto thought it was a good advantage to have a telepath on his side.

"Whatever," she muttered as she keyed in the access to the prisoner's chambers. The younger woman on the inside rose from her bed slowly, strainedly, and Birdy could tell that whatever injuries she'd sustained when Magneto apprehended her were not yet gone. A brief scan told her -- absolutely nothing, which made her wonder if this was part of her poewr. She pointed a thumb out of the door, "Dinner time. Magneto wants you to join us. You and the boys will be going home tomorrow."

That seemed enough to get her going. They met gazes and Birdy jolted with a start. Information flooded into her brain as she took a step back. Evers looked away, and it was gone. Birdy blinked with realization.

Natural blocks. Damned strongest ones she'd ever sensed. Her aura and brainwaves were impossible to see without direct eye contact. She couldn't be picked up by telepaths from a distance unless, Birdy guessed, she was using her powers; healing, if Victor told her the story right. Otherwise she would have appeared dead, inanimate to the senses. Amazing. Absolutely astounding. She smirked to herself, thinking that if Charles Xavier ever ran into her, he must have been deeply frustrated every time he tried to take a peek into her brain.

Thankfully the girl went quietly enough. They reached the dining hall in record time, and as she seated her at the table next to the first one to react to her appearance, the Toad, Birdy felt a small pang of sympathy as Evers hunched in on herself. She leaned close and whispered confidentially in her ear. "Don't worry, love. You're one of us now."

The ranks of the Brotherhood were all assembled. The Toad edged his seat closer to Evers, seemingly disinterested in his dinner at the moment. Birdy had the pleasure of meeting Fred Dukes, the Blob, personally after going on a rampage over the disappearance of her baklava from the freezer. As expected, he was eating happily. Magneto's boy appeared nervous, whether it was because he was sitting and not moving or something else, she didn't know. She didn't *want* to know. The scruffier one, but obviously the oldest, Avalanche, seemed to be the most downcast of the lot of them, beating out the woman because she'd suddenly taken on the guise of something stronger, like she was being pointedly brave for them, or singularly, the boy that had his hand on hers now.

Exodus, otherwise known as Bennett Du Paris, alias Asshole on a Stick, appeared in the doorway, and Birdy rolled her eyes as she found her place in the table. He had a confident way of walking, that "lay down on the floor so I can walk all over you" kind of attitude that drove her up the wall. She took note of the way he looked down his nose at the boys, Evers in particular. "Lord Magneto should be down shortly."

Fabian Cortez came in a moment later, fingering the bandage on his nose none-too-happily. Birdy had to smile, but she was growing bored. She wondered where Creed was.

Evers gave the Spaniard a dirty look before focusing on Exodus. She'd obviously never seen him before. She placed a protective hand on the Toad's shoulder and leaned in close to him. "Are you feeling a little better?" Birdy barely heard the intoned response, mainly a request to keep Cortez away from him.

Exodus became intent on Fabian as well. "Cortez. Lord Magneto asked you seat yourself as far away from our guests as possible, please."

The redhead curled his lip up into a snarl, but he said nothing. Those two had been feuding and competing for Magneto's attention since before she arrived there. It was infantile, and just plain gross, the way that Birdy saw it. Two men fighting over another man was just -- weird.

Strangely enough, he did as he was told.

Birdy smirked before turning her watchful eye to Evers again, who was now making soft conversation with the rest of the Brotherhood. It was amazing; she seemed genuinely concerned about them, moreso than Magneto ever seemed to be. In her eyes, he'd been treating the Brotherhood as stolen property, and simply because they were his, they had to be brought back. This wasn't any of her business, but she still didn't like it.

A tap on her shoulder gave her pause, and she tilted her head back.

"Guess who, Darlin'."

"Hey, Boss."

Victor Creed grinned ferally and slid into a chair beside her. "So...what's been goin on?"

She leaned toward him so she could lower her voice. "Looks like our extra guest isn't as powerless as Magneto thought she was."

"I guessed 's much. She didn't smell flatscan enough. Plus, gotta be somethin up if you couldn't take any peeks." Creed's gaze shot to Exodus, and Birdy followed his look.

"Everyone, rise." Bennett did so first. "And salute."

Fabian was the first to follow suit, Birdy waited for Victor, who didn't stand until everyone else did. This was just his way; he didn't play at all the pleasantries of being a lapdog. So in order to show that he was there because he chose to be, he pushed the lines of loyalty to their limit.

Magneto appeared in the doorway, violet cape effectively covering most of him. It dragged slightly on the floor as he strode toward the table. He wasn't walking funny, which Birdy would have expected, but behind his helmet she could see a definite wince. He signaled Exodus to give the 'at ease' order, then took a seat himself.

* * * *

Erik Lehnsherr removed his helmet and set it aside. He noted without much reaction that Birdy had done her job in getting Reiley Evers down to the dining hall.

"Welcome, Lord Magneto."

It was Exodus. A similar sentiment was delivered by Cortez as well. He rewarded them with a routinely cordial nod before setting to eating. The others, after a slight pause, did so as well. After a few good tastes he risked a look around, first noting the look of murder in Cortez's eyes, directed on Evers as he chewed on a piece of steak mechanically. He shot the man a warning glare then thought nothing more of him.

"I trust you're feeling better, Lord Magneto."

Birdy this time. He knew it was just an extension of courtesy. She didn't like him, and he wasn't terribly fond of her either. He smiled wryly, courtesy deserving courtesy, "Yes, Thank you."

He watched her look to Fabian and hold back a huge smile. "And you, Mr. Cortez?"

A long silence.

Bennett smirked. "Go on, Fabian, tell her."

Cortez hunched over his plate, cheeks flushing red. "I'd appreciate it if you'd mind your own business. Both of you."

"Temper temper. I sense conflict."

Erik set his fork down. "Exodus," he uttered, a slight bit of warning in his voice. "Don't provoke him."

He paled slightly, "Ah, yes. Sorry."

Birdy snickered.

Reiley finally earned a bit of his attention, as he noticed her taking her first bite of food. She'd been picking at the plate with her fork since he got in there.

He dabbed his lips with a napkin before lifting his goblet and taking a drink from it. "Is there a problem with the food, Ms. Evers?" His voice was soft, controlled.

She glanced at him. "Not at all."

What bit of hostility she held toward him once was in no way evident anymore.

He raised an eyebrow. "Very well."

More eating, more uneasy silence.

Once again it was Birdy that broke the monotony. "I'm aware that we've discovered she's a mutant. I'm curious though. What are her powers?"

Simple enough to answer. "Healing, apparently. Explaining why Mr. Tolensky is with us at the moment."

"She's not *joining* us, is she?"

Yet another meaningful glance went to the Spaniard. "That depends on her." Another few minutes and he was done with his share of dinner. "Miss Evers...." When he saw that he had her attention, he went on. "I am to understand that you desire to maintain custody of these children. Is that correct?"

What was in her mouth was swallowed before she spoke. "Yes."

"Then are you prepared to meet my conditions?"

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

"No, I suppose you don't."

"There's your answer then."

He glared. "First of all, you will allow the Boarding House to become the center for Brotherhood operations. The children will not speak to you about their missions...in return, do not ask them. Any mission they have takes perogative over your desires. Clear?"

She crossed her arms over her chest in a 'go on' manner.

"Impudent wretch...." Fabian muttered.

"Cortez."

"I'm sorry, M'Lord."

Reiley tilted her head to the side. "Is that all?"

He frowned. "No. Second of all, you will inform no one of what you hear in the house. All said inside is utterly confidential." He sat back in his chair and mirrored her earlier stance. "Third, if asked, you will aid Brotherhood operations or goals." Having a healer on the field would be useful.

She grunted.

"Finally..." he made a point not to notice her lack of regard thus far. "I am requiring that you change your profession slightly. Rather than be a substitute at the school...you will now work there full-time." The logic behind this, of course, was that it was easier for him to keep tabs on her if she remained in one place for the entire day.

This forced a change in her. Her eyes widened, taking her from indifferent to suddenly very aware. She shook her head to clear it, as though her reaction were a dizzy spell and nothing more. "That's it?"

He nodded.

"Very well." Reiley set her fork down and, much like he had a moment ago, dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "Now my terms."

Magneto drummed his fingers on the table in irritation. "I don't believe you're in the position to dictate to me."

"Custody papers say I am."

He sensed the obvious unrest her comeback summoned up from Exodus and Cortez. Creed and Birdy weren't really paying attention anymore. "You may continue."

"In response to your first condition: Because nothing is to interrupt with their schooling; education comes first, you know; the Boarding House will only be the active base of operations from 10 am on Saturdays to 7 pm Sundays. On vacations and such when school is not an issue, schedule can be discussed and adjusted."

_Presumptious little brat...._

"Very well."

"Secondly, I expect fair warning and time to prepare if I'm to be brought out here again. I don't want people to come looking for me when I turn up missing."

"I hope there will be no *need* to bring you out here again. However, that is agreeable."

She nodded. "Regarding your third demand, I will not aid in any operations or goals that would require duty in the field or sending the boys out into a potentially fatal situation, period.

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh really?"

"Yes. And lastly, and I *stress* this, if one of my boys returns home seriously injured, or worse, doesn't come home, I'll see to it you never see the rest of them

again. Contract void."

Magneto's voice went icy, "I can agree to every condition but the last."

And the worst part of it was that she was serious. Nothing sounded more logical to her than what she stated. "I won't turn them over to anything that'll get them killed. No sane parent or guardian would allow it. So I suggest you see that they're well taken care of on the field."

"I have no intention of getting them killed. However, these boys are *soldiers*, Ms. Evers. They will meet with danger. Neither you nor I can prevent that.

And any attempts to wrest them from me would be met with...*extreme* measures." Reflexes as keen as ever, he noted the look of unbridled outrage that found the Toad's face, and rather than have him leap out of his seat (as it appeared he might do) Magneto fixed him with a terrible gaze, speaking very quietly, but the danger there was masked in no way. "You have something to *add,* Mr. Tolensky?

The Toad seemed to shrink as he sat back in his chair and dropped his gaze, shaking his head almost miserably.

"Good. Keep it that way."

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ms. Evers squeeze Todd's shoulder, all the time that look of reproach saved for the Master of Magnetism alone.

Cortez seemed fairly amused by this, although he couldn't imagine why. The woman had proven that if she intended to do something violent to anyone. One would figure that if someone broke your nose you'd look for reasons not to ask them to do it again.

Bennett cleared his throat. "Shall I remove Toad from your presence, milord?"

"...if he misbehaves further." He shot an acidic look to Reiley. "Do you accept my terms, Ms. Evers? Or shall I take the Brotherhood out of your hands?"

With equal boldness in her gaze, she lifted her chin proudly. "Terms accepted."

He smirked. "Excellent. Now..." He paused for effect as he rose out of his chair majestically, "Brotherhood! Attention!"

They practically leaped out of their seats, compelling a swell of pride to rise up in his chest. It'd been so long yet they'd forgotten nothing. To business.... He composed himself easily, "The Brotherhood must not be a collection like Xavier's, motley, worthless fools. You have all proven yourselves worthy...you have passed the test. You are strong, you are willing, and you are more than able. Each of you forms part of a coherent whole...even you, Todd, serve a purpose."

He chose to ignore the scowl he received in response to that.

"You have been cast out by the humans...you have been ground down by society." A meaningful glance went to Reiley at that. "There are those who would say you do not deserve to exist. They are *wrong!* You are stronger than you think...you are more powerful than you believe. You may stand above your oppressors, for you are superior to them!" He clenched a fist and held it up. "That I why I returned to you...because you are the true Brotherhood. You are those willing to stand up against humanity...you are soldiers, not idiot superheroes. You are *better* than them, faster than them, and stronger than them. They have no chance." Another pause to clear his throat as he drank up every reaction thus far. Priceless. Then he took on a lower tone of speaking, one that demanded caution. "Those of you who wish to leave, and want no part in this, speak now, and be free to go."

Then came the indecision. They traded looks, shifting unhappily on their feet, and all of them took a look at Reiley before finally, they saluted.

Magneto smiled triumphantly. "Then be reborn, my Brotherhood. And prepare yourselves. Dismissed."

Exodus appeared almost proud as he led the boys out, beckoning Cortez and nudging Todd when he didn't follow quite fast enough, attention wandering back to Reiley. Sabretooth, for the entirety of the speech, had been busy sneaking things off of Birdy's plate and pretending not to acknowlege, and now he was only too thrilled to leave. Cortez murmured a quiet, "Well said, My Lord," as he took up the rear and vanished into the halls beyond.

Reiley Evers scoot back from the table and stood. "Excuse me...." She was practically at the door, back to him, when he chose to press the matter further. He wasn't finished yet.

"Ms. Evers?"

She paused at the sound of her name but did not face him.

"I take it you didn't approve?"

He barely heard her when she spoke. "You enjoy it that they follow you only because they fear what you might do."

"They follow me because of loyalty. As I just demonstrated."

Her voice rose. "You're dilusional, and you brought me here intending to use me as leverage against them."

Erik shrugged. "The leverage is true enough. But I operate under no dillusions, Miss Evers."

"That's where you're mistaken. Excuse me." And as quickly as the others had she vanished as well.

"What delusions do I have then, pray tell?" he called after her as he pursued. To his annoyance, she ignored him, headed in the obvious direction of her chambers. He caught up and grabbed her shoulder. "I asked you a question. I expect an ans--"

Abruptly, she shoved his hand away in a manner that forced his guard up, ready if she became violent. "*Never* touch me."

He snorted. The *nerve* this woman had.... "So now I'm beneath you? You have a lot of gall, Ms. Evers."

Finally she circled toward him, eyes bright and furious in the dim light of the hallway. "You are a *monster*, Magneto! Nothing you say or do after what you just displayed will convince me otherwise!"

That particular sentiment made something in him twitch just briefly, willing up an old memory he'd rather not deal with. Only one other person had ever dared call him that, after all. With effort enough, he maintained his calm. "A monster?" he echoed, voice tight. "And how did I manage to convince you of this?"

"The world's heard a rant like that before. From most all dictators that went under the axe, actually. But most prominently the man responsible for the Holocaust." She gave him a wide berth and continued on her way.

Magneto paled, frozen in place for a moment in dumbstruck shock. It didn't take a historian to know who she was referring to. Of course she had no idea of the personal connection he had with that place in time. He recovered with a harsh scowl and started after her. He grasped her arm and whirled her to face him in a manner that he would never have dreamed of using as a gentleman had his temper been better controlled. "*DON'T* compare me to that man, you wretch! You have *no* idea what you're talking about!"

Once again her temper moved to outdo his own, and when a shove didn't lessen his hold on her she went into a crazed fit of scratching, kicking, and punching with her free hand and legs. "DON'T TOUCH ME!!!"

He dragged her close, far from finished, and a savage twist of her wrist ceased her struggles. "Then NEVER compare me to that...that THING," he hissed as he released her with a shove. "You know NOTHING of him, no matter how learned you think yourself."

"I know what I see." Her own intonation had gone dangerously low, controlled. "It's propaganda, the way you speak to them. *Brainwashing* when used in excess. And I won't have anything more to do with you than absolutely necessary." She gave her back to him yet again.

Incensed, "You know nothing of me, then. You're just as ignorant with or without your powers. That man was a MONSTER. I am NOT. NOT!"

Seeminly un-affected by those words, Reiley dialed the access to her door as she reached it, then went in.

He caught the edge of it before it slid shut on him. "Very well. I've seen your kind too....the kind that can't face their damn problems. That run away from everything they don't understand...they're the kind of people I'm *fighting* against, Ms. Evers."

"I understand *plenty,* Magneto. *I* didn't run from the boys when I met them, *did* I?" she demanded. "No. Not even when I knew what gifts they posessed. *I* didn't turn from your daughter when she came to me for shelter. *I* faced you as an equal when you came to my door. I didn't run from you when you tried to kill me *or* Todd. So maybe you should rethink the question as to which of us has the problem with understanding!"

Briefly his attention came away from her torrent as a furry mass that must have been the cat she requested emerged from under the bed, arched its back up, and hissed at him vehemently. The arguing must have alerted the thing, and if Reiley owned her for as long as she claimed she did, it reacted to her every display of emotion.

He glared in annoyance at the zealous feline. "You may call off the animal."

"She's allowed to state her opinion."

Erik Lehnsherr looked at her, practically choking with rage, "You understand nothing, girl. As I said before."

In a deadpan voice, "You're pitching a fit because I'm taking my cat's side now?"

"I would QUIT while you were ahead, Ms. Evers."

"I'm not doing anything!"

Erik snarled in frustration. "...believe what you will. Hell, train your cat to attack me. It means nothing." As he stalked out of the room, he could hear her muttering inwardly to herself.

"Riiight. Train the living incarnation of Hannibal Lector. There's a laugh."

A meow.

"Brat."

He'd been considering going back with the Brotherhood for a while, in order to keep an eye on things. It was now becoming more and more clear that his presence would be needed, lest that infuriating woman turn them from him completely.

Chapter #1: Have a Very Brotherhood Christmas!

He'd been patient, just as the Professor had asked him to be. Since the entire Brotherhood's disappearance on Christmas, he'd been keeping close watch on the house to see if anyone would appear there. Xavier'd been unable to use Cerebro, as upgrades were still being undertaken. He didn't mind getting up at the crack of dawn everyday to drive out here. It wasn't like he had anything better to do.

Logan snorted. Yeah, right....

But Xavier'd been right. He smelled the electrical discharge right away, and shortly after he could definitely detect activity from within the house. He never saw anyone go in, but now there were people inside. The curtains next to the patio were pulled back, and he sighed with relief as he recognized the woman from the bar. Things were okay then.

He pressed a button on his wrist watch. "Professor."

~"Yes, Logan?"~

"They're back."

~"All present and accounted for?"~

He nodded, although he knew Charles couldn't see it. "Yup, every last one of em from the looks of it. There was someone else, I think. Can't get a scent anymore though."

~"...Yes, I saw that as well. You can come back, now. There's not much else that you can do."~

"There's one thing...."

* * * *

Reiley felt her heart stop in her chest as she caught sight of who was coming up the walk. Him. She'd nearly forgotten having ever met him.

Logan, no last name, the man from the bar with the studly motorcycle (and studly something elses) was the last person she expected to see coming by. At any point. Despite all the rugged manliness and hairy-chested testosterone that'd scare any nerd into submission, he was all-around gorgeous. Normally, Reiley was the type of girl to not let her eyes wander, but Damn! Sometimes you just *had* to look!

_EE! And He's wearing a COWBOY hat! *drool*_

And Logan was coming to see *her.* The very idea nearly sent her into a fit of squeaky happiness.

Nearly.

She deflated slightly. Guys like Logan were either loners, into super models, or they were into other guys. He was probably coming by for some *other* reason. That had to be it.

Still unable to hold back her entire air-headed-ness at the sight of him, she hurried to the door and pulled it open before he could even ring the bell. If he was surprised he didn't show it.

Reiley glanced back at the boys, who all seemed to be trying to reconnect with the familiar scenery, then inched out of the door, closing it behind her. Better keep this in private....

"Remember me?" he queried.

And smiled.

_Don'tmeltdon'tmeltdon'tmelt...._

_GAH! Don't frickin BLUSH either!_

Reiley winced then attempted to return the grin. "You--what're you doing out here?"

"Came to check on ya. Everything okay?"

"Uhhhhh...." She glanced at the window overlooking the patio and was not in the least bit amazed to see all four of the boys crowded together in one corner trying to sneak looks outside without bringing attention to themselves.

Logan raised an eyebrow in their direction, and the group dispersed.

Reiley Evers shook her head to clear it and attempted her most disarming smile, "Yeah, everything's fine. Todd's okay and we kinda missed Christmas. We're gonna do all the celebrating tonight."

He was doing his best to seem polite, but she was becoming very aware that he was uncomfortable here.

She pouted and looked down at herself, wondering if her shirt was hanging open or something. What was she doing wrong? "D-do you want to come in and sit down for a minute?"

Logan shook his head. "Nah, that's okay. Jes wanted to check up on you."

_Damn._ She nodded. "O-okay...."

"But hey, listen...."

Reiley brightened at that. A window of opportunity! "Yes?"

"When you're not busy, or if ya jes need to talk, gimme a call and we'll have coffee." He took a step off of the patio, back onto the walk. "You can reach me at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. It's in the phone book." And with a tip of his hat he turned and departed.

Reiley stood dumbfounded on the doorstep.

He just gave her his digits.

Sort of.

And a date.

Did he just ask her out on a date?

Was the Nile running backwards? Hath Hell frozen over?

Smile touching each of her ears, she rounded and re-entered the Boarding House to collect Lance's car keys. She had some gifts and stockings to pick up....

* * * *

Reiley went to special lengths to pack everything back into the house herself, although the boys were more than eager to give her a little help and sneak a peak at everything, too. She felt the need to beat them off with a stick but managed just the same. With the last two gifts slung under her arm, she edged the door back and went in....

Only to come to a screeching halt as she ran into someone much taller than her who wasn't Alvers or Fred.

Magneto crossed his arms over his massive chest and looked down his nose at her, making her feel all the more smaller than she really was. The man was getting better and better at being as intimidating as possible around her.

But he didn't come back with them. When did he show up?

He stood there scowling for a moment longer then retreated into the den to sit down.

Of course he had the gall to steal her favorite recliner.

She tried not to show it bothered her and settled the last of the presents under the tree. As soon as she backed away from it, the boys were already testing the packages to see what they were. It occurred to her, then, that Todd wasn't amoung the ranks.

She frowned and journeyed up to his room. The door was shut, as expected, so rather than just walk in, she tapped her knuckles against the wooden surface. "Todd?"

"That you, Ma?"

"Can I come in."

"S-sure, yo." The sound of shuffling about until the door was pulled back for her. The look of uneasiness on his face was unmistakeable.

"Is something wrong?"

He shrugged. "That guy that came by earlier today...you know him?"

Reiley tilted her head to the side. "I met him the night you got hurt."

"Oh...well...but...why're you all hanging out wi' him, yo? He's an X-Man." He added with a shudder, "A HELLA scary X-Man."

"X-Man?" Reiley vaguely remembered Magneto saying something like that in his long, drawn out rant the day before. It didn't surprise her, now, the look the man had been giving her, if he knew. "He was worried and came to check up. Don't worry. I didn't tell him anything. I said I wouldn't, remember?"

Todd Tolensky smiled weakly. "Good...sorry, yo, but he's like their enforcer 'n' shit. He's got these big-ass claws...." He made odd hand gestures to show her what he was talking about. "An'...an'...." He shivered again.

"Don't worry about it, Todd," she assured him as she ushered him to the door. "Now c'mon. You guys have had Christmas presents waiting an extra three days for you to claim them."

His mood switched entirely at the sound of this. "Presents?!"

She lost the ability to draw air into her lungs as he threw his arms about her and hugged her.

"Tight! Thanks Mom!"

And he then proceeded to hop through the hall, then down the stairs. That was something he'd begun doing a lot lately. He told her that he avoided doing it in front of her when she didn't know about him, and it was something she was still getting used to.

Back in the Den, Pietro sat closest to the Christmas tree and was currently shaking one of the boxes for all its worth. Lance and Fred were both next to the window and had already emptied their stockings. Todd flopped himself on the couch, and Magneto was gone from the room entirely.

Pietro Maximoff grinned at her. "I've managed to note that whatever you got Lance is -- was fragile."

"If it's broken, Pietro, I'm gonna...."

Fred gave her a little frown, the type that always made her think of Winnie the Pooh. "I think I need a bigger stocking...I already ate all my candy...."

She started as from the kitchen a less-welcome voice sounded coldly, "Ms. Evers...a word?"

She watched him in the doorway for a long moment before turning her head toward his son. "Pass em' out for me, Slim Shady?"

"By your command, m'lady! Hey Fred! Catch!"

She passed into the kitchen, out of earshot from the boys.

Magneto was the first to speak. "Whatever you said to Mr. Logan, I hope it was nothing I'd need to know about."

Well, she'd been write about the whole enemy thing. "Relax."

"I'd prefer you simply stay out of contact with him. The man is...dangerous."

_Like HELL I will!_ she thought, almost childishly. She waved a hand dismissively and set to retrieving a cup of coffee. Her eye moved to the clock on the wall above the sink. "I've still got dinner to make." She located a mug and poured a generous share of the beverage into it, then politely, without even knowing why, offered it to him.

"...no thank you. I prefer tea."

"Eh, as you like. Excuse me." She shrugged and started back into the living room to watch the rest of the Brotherhood open up. _More for me and none for you!_ She was surprised to see that none of them had started tearing their presents open yet. "Well?" she said. "What's gotten into you guys? Open em already!"

"We were waiting for you," Pietro informed her, "because *somebody,*" he gave Todd a vicious little poke, "had to have his," another poke, "*Mommy* see him open Christmas presents."

"QUIDDIT, YO!"

She frowned, giving the platinum boy the signature *look* as she placed her hands on her hips in a chastising manner. "I could just take yours back, you know."

Huffily, "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

"Fine, fine," Maximoff grumbled. "We'll open the bloody presents...." and so saying he tore into his like a wild man.

Todd took to his in a similar fashion, while Fred took the wrapping paper apart almost daintily, an act which belied his size and somewhat neanderthallic nature. Lance waited longer than the rest and by the time Pietro and Todd were done he'd only begun tearing away.

Magneto stood glaring from the doorway while sipping at a freshly made cup of tea.

Pietro emerged from his pile of wrapping paper with a burst of energy. "CD player! WOO-HOO! Aaaaannndddd...." the sound of tearing, although she couldn't really see him doing it he was going so fast. "Radiohead! YASA!"

Reiley could only get out a surprised "Meep!" as she was half-tackled, half- hugged to the ground.

"I want you to be my mom too."

She tried to laugh, although most of the wind had been knocked out of her. Pietro blushed and helped her to her feet again, just in time to watch the others.

Lance raised an impressed brow as he lifted a leather jacket out of a box filled with tissue paper. "Niiiiiice...thanks, Riles." And then he slipped it on and proceeded to quietly murmur to himself about how someone named "Kitty" was going to be all over him, now.

Fred affectionately stroked the plastic-encased videos she'd purchased for him. "The Mummy" and "Rain Man." She knew he was a die-hard couch potato like her, and he'd been wanting to watch those two for a long time. For whatever reason they never found time to go out and rent videos. From the next box he discovered -- surprisingly, a sweater. And now that Reiley looked at it, she wondered if it might be too big. She wasn't a terribly good seamstress, but she'd done her best in guessing.

He seemed satisfied, though, and hugged the item to him with another Pooh- look, a smile this time.

"EEK! DMX! Tight! An'...."

Reiley turned her head toward Todd with a gleeful smile as he lifted his next gift out of its bag. He handled the stuffed frog with the type of care one used with newborn babies, tearing up a little as he did so. "Aw, Mom...."

She giggled. "I thought you'd like those."

Magneto's voice made her stiffen. "I'm sure. Excuse me." And he disappeared back into the kitchen, bringing about a look of distress on Pietro's face.

Reiley signed and ruffled Todd's hair before seriously considering that look on Pietro's face. "Hey Pietro?"

He snapped out of it. "Yeah?"

She attempted to smile. "Supplies I bought for Christmas dinner kinda never made it back to the house. And Todd's always telling me that you're a genius when it comes to desserts." She tilted her head to the side. This'd get him out of the house, away from whatever was bothering him, and playing on his ego was the best way to get him to do anything. "Want to be Santa's little helper tonight?" Then, lowering her voice so Magneto wouldn't hear in the other room, she cocked her head toward the kitchen. "It might make a good impression."

He bought it, hook like and sinker, and gave her a purely devious grin. "Hmm...I think I'll take you up on that." He quieted, too. "It probably won't, though. He doesn't like Christmas very much."

She pouted. "We'll see about that." A quick look about, then, "So you're all happy?"

Collective nods.

Reiley blinked as she found Pietro poking her and still whispering. "You don't understand...he's not much for religion at all anymore, but he's Jewish."

"Yeah, you told me you were and that's why this holiday is split down the middle." She gestured at the manora on the mantle. "He didn't notice that? We spent that one night with those games and everything just like you showed me. I said I'd let everyone have their day."

He nodded. "Yeah, well...he liked *that*...he's just...." Pietro sighed. "It's...not something I can just explain.... He doesn't even tell *me* all the details."

"Well I'm trying to be fair. And the gifts thing isn't just for Christmas. You know that because I don't celebrate it. This is all just because I care about you four."

He grinned. "I know. Well, let the grumpy old man be grumpy."

"That's the spirit. Now, if I give you the money, can you bolt to the store and get me the things I need for dinner?" At his nod, Reiley fished into her pocket and came out with a twenty, a ten, and a list from when she was at the market the first time. "It's all there. Hurry back."

He took them and sped off so fast one would think he'd never been there at all.

Reiley finished off her coffee and rose to go into the kitchen. "Be right back." Upon entering, she caught the faint aroma of Earl Grey on the air. "Good selection," she commented. At least the guy had taste. "Remind me to pick it up when I go back to the apartment again and I'll bring you some of the imported stuff -- if you'll still be here, that is. How long were you planning on staying?"

Slightly curt, "Will do. And I'm not going anywhere for a while."

This didn't sit well with her, but she chose not to comment or appear effected as she poured herself another cup of coffee. "If you'd like to join us in there, you're more than welcome. "

"...No thank you."

She paused. Damnit, did he have to be so indifferent about everything? It was more unnerving than anyone could know. Hell, *she* was trying to get along with him, why wasn't he?

Of course none of this actually came out. "Pietro feels like he's doing something wrong by being happy when you're not. He's in charge of dessert tonight, and I expect you to at least attempt to make him feel like he's doing fine. You owe him as much." She half expected for him to fly off the handle for the way she worded it, but no.

Nothing.

TO BE CONTINUED....