Hellfire and Brimstone

CHAPTER 80: EPILOGUE

-19 Years Later-

It had been nearly twenty years and many things had changed. The Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters had become a true school taking in many students from parts of all over the world and becoming a boarding school for mutants. They had taken in many more teachers and members of the X-Men teams. The mansion over the years had been build to reflect that and many of the original students could no longer see the old home that they had come to known. Everything had changed and in the world as well.

There was a new XSE (X-Treme Sanctions Executive) team now that the government gave them official standing in mutant related problems. There were also X-Corp that had places all over the world to help monitor mutants and any problems. There was even talk of making several new schools across the world to help with the growing population of mutants.

It hadn't been an easy life over the years. They had faced many dangers, but they always pulled together and they had come out on top of it all.

At this moment, Emma was sleeping soundly on her bed. She knew it was past dawn, but she just wanted to sleep in a little longer. Then, as she slowly started to look up and around at the room, she saw the calendar on the wall and it hit her what today was. She couldn't believe that nineteen years had passed for her and everyone here. So much had changed in that time. She had cut her long hair to her shoulders and dressed a bit more conservative manner. Yet still…She looked good for a woman of thirty-nine and she wanted to show off a bit of it.

The mansion had been rebuilt and built up over the years and was now a fully functional school for mutants. She was glad it was the summer now, so most of the students that had a home were back with their families. Emma was currently a teacher in ethics and business studies. She also helped Xavier manage his finances and even supplemented them with her own funds. That, and being a full time wife and mother was quite taxing, but it was more than she ever could have asked for in her ever complicated life.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her and someone kissing her bare shoulder. She only wore her sleep gown and she smiled feeling the lips there.

"Morning darling."

"Morning honey," Vincent said back to her. Another thing was that she was now Miss. Emma Frost-Freeman. Vince still couldn't believe he was married to such a beautiful woman. By now he was a teacher in History and in shop class. He also taught combat classes, which was something he sort of passed down thanks to Mr. Kansuke. But for the moment, teaching was the last thing on his mind as he nuzzled his wife's neck, "You know…With no classes, and with an open day…You want to enjoy the morning?"

He started to kissed her neck a bit his hand running down to her stomach she still kept in shape even after all these years and two births. Emma only moaned in response, 'God, he still knows how to make me feel so good,' she thought to herself.

They had tried to keep their marriage from getting stale or old and for the most part, it had been wonderful. She felt his hand run up to her chest gently fondling one of her breasts causing her to let out a small moan from his strong hands. She let him work his talented hands, feeling his strong hands roaming over her body. They did have the whole morning to themselves so it only stood to reason that they should enjoy it.

She turned around and captured his lips in her own, "You know, I'm glad that we can still be so active," Emma told him between kisses.

"Yeah, I know what you mean, but I'm glad we can make it work," he told her tasting her lips again. He was lost in the passion but he broke away for a moment as he thought someone was wrong, "Did you hear something?"

"No," Emma told him and turned his face to hers kissing him again. She felt along his chest and was glad that even though he was nearly forty like herself, he kept in top shape. But just before things could get interesting a loud cry from a purple cat that came out of nowhere jumped onto their bed startling both adults.

"Sharon!" they both said at once at the small purple cat that slowly turned into a small seven year old girl with purple hair, a cat tail, and cat like eyes. She was in normal sleepwear for a child and was giggling madly.

"I'm sorry mommy and daddy, but I just wanted to surprise you! Emily and Victoria said it might be nice," the young girl responded.

Sharon Freeman was a unique mutant that was living on the streets as a small child until the team had found her few years ago. Unlike most mutants, she was the rare case that had most likely had her powers since birth. And after being found by them while on a mission, they couldn't bare to see a child live like that.

By then Emma had given birth to Jack and their twin girls, Emily and Victoria, and Emma had wanted to have another child. But after giving birth to the twins, she really didn't want to try that anytime soon. So they had taken in Sharon as their own. They both had been afraid that their children might not accept her, but remarkably they did. In fact, the twins adored their little sister.

"Oh they did, did they?" Vince smiled and grabbed his adopted daughter tickling her, causing the young girl squealed in joy.

Emma propped herself up and smiled watching them play. Her husband was a very good father. He was so kind and caring to their children and they adored him. She was just happy to be in such a loving family for the first time in her life.

After a bit they stopped as he held his daughter. She may not have been their daughter by birth and didn't share the same mental link that Emma had with their other children because she gave birth to them, but they both loved her like Sharon was truly their own.

Sharon hugged her daddy's neck, "Daddy can you make me some breakfast? I can't find the others."

He gave a small apologetic look to Emma and she nodded her head. It wasn't the first time they had to cancel sex because of the kids.

"I think I'll take a shower," she stood up and smooth her gown out and then looked at Vince with a smile, "A nice long one."

She gave him a wink and he caught the message.

Sharon looked confused at her parents having seen them like this. She had asked her sisters what it meant once, "Were you and mommy going to be doing naked huggin' again?"

Both parents looked shocked at their youngest child, "Sharon where on Earth did you hear something like that?" Emma said her hands on her hips.

"Uh…My sisters told me that grown ups like to hug naked," she said, while personally she thought it was an icky idea.

Vince looked to his wife with a serious expression, "We are seriously going to need to have a nice and very long talk with those girls." Emma nodded her head and with her telepathy contacted the two of them.

'Girls!'

Both set of twins had been in their room dressing. Both were sixteen and looked a lot like their mother except that their long hair was the same black as their fathers. So far their mutations had kicked in two years ago and found out that even though they had shared a bond since childhood, they had grown telepathy and a type of energy field telekinesis. When their mother yelled out to them in their minds both jumped.

'Mom! what?' Emily asked first.

'What on Earth have you been teaching Sharon?' the stern voice told them both they were in trouble.

Victoria looked to her sister, "Uh oh…Is this the really bad thing or one of the smaller ones?"

"How should I know?" her sister snapped back.

The Freeman twins were kind of mischief makers and everyone knew it. They never went too far since their parents had taught them well, but as Vince had said, they took after their mother's more independent nature. They also took after her looks and were pretty much a pair of walking heart attacks and liked to flirt with the boys sometimes. Vincent swore that those girls would give him gray hair one day.

'You both can expect a nice talk with your father and myself later.'

Both girls groaned at that and knew no matter what they were in for a lecture.

Later on, Emma was walking the halls as she met up with Jean. Jean had changed in the years as well her own hair was cut shorter as well and like Emma, had only a few signs of aging had appeared.

"Well how are you doing this morning?" Emma asked.

Jean just shrugged, "Could have been a bit better. I think we need a new mattress. I don't know how Scott can managed to sleep on that thing all the time."

Emma looked at her friend for nearly two decades. After all this time she knew the signs all too well, "How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long has it been since you and Scott had sex?"

Jean looked at her friend with surprise, "Emma!" The blond just looked at her and Jean took a minute and sighed, "Nearly a month." Emma winced at that, the longest she and Vincent had even gone had been three because things had keep getting in the way. By the time they had finally managed to catch a break, they locked the doors and literally tore each others clothing off and went at it like they hadn't seen each other in years.

"It's just that we've been so busy lately," Jean sighed remember all the work that went into being a teacher and who helped to run this place, not to mention she and Scott still trained, oversaw training, and even went out on missions still although that last one not as much as they had when they were younger.

"Take my word for it…After tonight, just go rent a hotel room go there and don't come back until morning," she told Jean.

"But there's still-" Jean was cut off by Emma.

"Nothing that can be put off and you know you can always have some of us to cover for you two as well. Go on and enjoy yourselves…You both need it," Emma said plainly to her, "You'd think someone that was once the avatar of a living cosmic entity making her a living god in a way would know how to delegate."

Jean just crossed her arms, "You're just jealous I had supreme power."

Emma was silent for a moment as she thought about it. Jean still had her powers enhanced by that event as if she wasn't powerful enough before that.

"Well…Maybe a little."

-Rachel's Room-

In the room of seventeen year old Rachel Summers, which looked like any teen's room with posters, computer, and many other things like photos of her family and friends, the young woman simply lay out on her bed. She looked a lot like her mother, only with much shorter red hair, but she wasn't alone. She was laying very close to and holding a man two years older than her named Jack Freeman. Jack had his father's eyes, but short brown hair with powers like telepathy and enhanced physical abilities. But he had also gained the ability to partially or turn completely into an energy form. He was older then her, but they had grown up together and had been the best of friends for their entire life together. And by the time she was thirteen, she had developed had a huge crush on him.

It took her years to finally admit it to him after his last relationship failed. She had been so jealous that it had nearly destroyed their relationship, but after a long talk she had told him the truth. Some time after that, Jack had decided to ask her out and they had been dating for over a year since. At the moment, though, the two teens were sharing a mental link as they were smiled widely at one another.

Inside their shared minds, they were in a palace bedroom with a king sized bed and silk sheets. Their parents had made it clear that they didn't want them to have sex until they were eighteen, but Rachel still being seventeen had wanted to be intimate with her boyfriend. So they had come up with a way around it. By experiencing it only in their minds they could feel the pleasure without any of the risks to it all. By now, Rachel was naked and on her back with her lover and boyfriend Jack above her as their bodies moved as one.

She saw his strong body over hers, the tattoo that he had on his chest that was the same as his father. Even his twin sisters had one each, but on different places. She loved these small moments that they stole with each other.

"Oh god Jack…I'm nearly there…I'm…oh god!" she threw her head back against the pillow as Jack grunted with the effort and finally he leaned in reading his head in her neck as his body stiffened.

After a moment he looked at her beautiful face wondering why he had never noticed this before. "God you are so beautiful."

She blushed at the comment, "Thank you…How much time do we have left?"

Jack thought about it the trouble with this was that time was kind of blurred while in the mind. "I think we got one or two more if we don't draw it out too long," he told her as she smiled up and captured his lips with her own. He tasted the sweetness of her lips as his hands went to her body. The other advantage having 'sex' in their minds was that in this world they controlled it all. They could keep going and never tire like in real life.

Outside her room, Jean and Emma were on their way to see if their children were getting ready. Jean knocked on her daughter's door.

"Rachel are you in there?"

After a moment of silence she was a bit confused. She could sense her daughter in there, but she wasn't responding. She tried the doorknob, but it was locked. She looked at Emma who gave her a curious look.

Jean used her TK powers to unlock the door and both women went in and found their children together on the bed. Now they knew that Jack and Rachel had been dating, but they looked asleep.

"What's going on?" Jean asked seeing them with smiles on their faces.

Emma had an idea, "I think we may need to look in closer…They're sharing their minds."

Jean now got it. She did this with the others and especially with Scott whenever they were separated for a time. They could have meetings with everyone, even across the world. It had been something that Emma had come up with once during those little 'telepath club' meetings they still held with Betsy. Although now, sometimes they would invite the other women in as a safe way to discuss things without anyone overhearing them.

As they dove into the mental construct of their children what they hadn't expected was something that looked out of an Arabian bedroom fantasy. And they certainly didn't expect to see the on the large bed naked with Rachel riding her boyfriend as she cupped her breasts, the young woman moaning out loudly and Jack groaning with pleasure. And the second they saw this, their mothers were just shocked by it all until both exploded right then and there.

"Rachel Anne Summers!"

"Jack Christian Freeman!"

The shock of this broke the illusion as they were all brought to reality.

"Mom?" both teens said hoping that this was just some very nasty nightmare because this was certainly the most embarrassing thing that either one of them could remember happening.

Both of the mothers stood there glaring at their children, "What…Is going on here?" Jean asked seriously.

Rachel and Jack shared a look and then at their mothers.

"Well…We…We just thought that since…Since we couldn't have sex for real…" Rachel said, trying to look her mother in the eyes, but failing miserably.

"That we would, you know, just do it in our minds. I mean, it's not like we do it for real," he tried to explain it all away.

Emma looked coldly at her son, "You better not be! I am too young to become a grandmother Jack! And I have no plans to be one before I'm forty!"

Jack looked at his mom a bit confused, even if Rachel was pregnant by the time she gave birth in nine months her mother would already be forty. But thankfully Rachel wasn't.

"But mom are you already…" he trailed off seeing the even colder look.

'Never talk about a woman and her age,' Rachel said to him with her mind.

Jack groaned mentally, 'I know…I know! It was stupid thing to say it just slipped out!'

Jean looked to her daughter. It was true that she was a young woman now and in today's world, she was glad that she wasn't pregnant or something worse. Jack was much like his father in that he wouldn't force Rachel into anything she wasn't ready for and would respect the rules so she figured Rachel was still physically a virgin.

'God when did the time go?' she thought looking at her daughter, 'It seemed like yesterday I was holding her in my arms, seeing her first words, her first steps. I remember all these things and here she is, wanting to become a woman.'

Jean knew that her children were growing up, but she had thought she had more time with them. Now it was starting to dawn that soon her little girl would be a full woman.

'I know how you feel Jean…' She turned to look at Emma and even though she kept her face a mask she could sense that the other woman felt the same, 'I'm just glad I still have Sharon to cuddle when she's all grown up like he is. I'll miss those days, but we can't fight time.'

Rachel looked at her mother and Jack's mother wondering what was going on, "So…Are we in trouble?"

"For the moment…No," Emma said to them seeing the relief on their faces, "However…I feel it's time we all sat down and had a talk with your fathers as well."

Jack gulped at that. Sure in his energy form, Rachel's father's optic blast wouldn't hurt him, but this was the father of his girlfriend and a legend at the mansion.

'I am SO dead…'

Although Rachel just wished she would. She just knew that this was going to be a very long and very hard day.

Backyard Pool – Mystique

As the balmy afternoon came into full swing, some of the adults organized a nice little afternoon pool party for the kids while they made the preparations for the ceremony later on. The pool was always a nice way to occupy the kids, especially during this time of year when school was about to start again. On the sides, Rachel and TJ sunbathed. TJ was the fifteen year old daughter of Kurt and Wanda. She pretty much looked a lot like her father only with longer hair. She also had a crush on her long time friend, Nathan Summers, the son of Scott and Jean. He was the same age as her only he looked a bit like his dad, but the only difference was the strange piece of white hair.

Her mutation were hex bolt like discharges, but she could enter another's body and control them for a time. Nathan, or Nate as he was often called, was like his mother and sister, only his powers were a bit stronger and he had a type of telekinetic energy too.

While the girls were there, Jack and Nate stood close by them, playfully flirting and laughing as young couples tended to do so often. In the pool, the sound of laughter filled the air.

There was Stephen Wagner, TJ's seven year old brother. He looked a bit more human like only with blue skin he had more normal hands and had their mother's eyes. With him were David and Angelica Drake. Although five year old, David was the son of Bobby and Jubilee with his short dark hair and slightly Asian looks. Thirteen year old Angelica was actually his half-sister. Jubilee and Bobby had broken up during college and she had seen another man who had gotten her pregnant and died. She had grey skin like her biological father, but Bobby had been there for Jubilee after that and their romance started up. They were married when she was three and was the flower girl at their wedding.

There were also the Worthington children, on of which was sixteen year old Brian, who looked a lot like his father Warren, but with his mother's Betsy's eyes. He took after his mother power wise with an ability to see the future for short times. Samantha was their fourteen year old daughter who had just learned she could make a type of energy based wings from her back. Her father was currently trying to each her how to fly, but at the moment she was looking after her seven year old little brother Erin.

There were also the LeBeau children. There was seventeen Irene, who looked a bit like her mother minus the Goth look she had in her youth, but with now white steak in her hair. She rolled her eyes as seeing her fifteen year old younger brother Marcus flirting with Emily Freeman again. Marcus was very much like his father, only he had the white steak of hair. So far Emily, who always wore white, one of the few ways one could tell the twins apart, were doing the usual heavy flirting with each other.

Hank and Sage's oldest son William was sixteen and was on his way to filling out nicely like his father before his mutation kicked in. Only he had blue hair and slightly larger hands and feet. His mind was also like none other, but he was also kind of shy…Which was why he always blushed when Victoria Freeman flirted with him. Victoria, who liked to wear black, liked the more intelligent boys unlike her sister who liked the better looking ones.

There were also Jamie and Rahne's children. Charles, Moira, Mark, Sue all eight. It had turned out when those two had gotten pregnant their powers had the strange effect of Rahne having multiple births. After which she swore that if Jamie wanted to even touch her again, he'd get a vasectomy. Unfortunately for Jamie, she kept good on her word and he did since there was no way she was going through that kind of pregnancy again.

Watching over them all, Raven Darkholme, the former bitter enemy of the X-men, simply leaned up against the banister as she watched over all the happy children just living it up without a care. It brought a big smile to her face…A smile that was rare on a day like this since the anniversary of Jack's death was always very difficult on her. There were still times when she would lay awake at night wondering what she and Jack could have had if he hadn't made his sacrifice. Unfortunately, that was something she would never know…But Jack had still taught her enough in the time they were together to put her life back together and find a sense of peace she once thought to be impossible.

Now here she was…The Grandmother of four great kids, a respected and accepted instructor of the institute, and a wife to her long time friend and lover, Irene Adler. In many ways, Jack's death really helped her turn the corner she needed in order to put so many things back together. Sure, there were still some rough spots here and there. She still remembered the tension in the air on the day when she met up with Kurt's foster parents. And even though they had soothed things out in the end, it was still quite an experience. And thanks to some of the wise words Jack had given her about honor and compassion, she managed to work her way through it…And for that, she owed him a lot.

Because of him, she had gotten her children back and to this day, it was an act that she was eternally grateful for. His death had shown her just how much she needed them. It also caused her to push for things between her and Irene to develop since she moved in shortly afterwards to be there for her…And naturally, it didn't take long for her to reassert her feelings for her long time friend. Because after losing Jack, she had learned to cherish the things in her life that she had so often negated…And for that, she was eternally grateful to him.

"Grandma Raven! Grandma Raven! Aren't you gonna come in with us?" asked young Stephen Wagner, who was riding on the shoulders of his cousin, Marcus as he was a bit showing off for Emily.

"No, that's okay Stephen. Grandma Raven's just fine watching you," smiled the shape shifter in response.

"Oh come on Grandma Raven!" said Irene, who was standing right by her brother, "Ya can't just be hidin' in the shade the whole time! This is a pool party!"

As if to emphasize her point, Irene went on to tackle Marcus and Stephen making them all fall into the pool.

"Hey! No fair!" shouted Marcus as he came up from the water, "You're gonna get it now, Irene!"

"Gotta catch me first, little brother!"

Mystique held back a laugh as she saw this escalate while the others just stood and watched with amusement. Looking over at Talia and Nate, she saw them kind of snuggling with one another in a playful fashion…An act that kind of made her really feel her age since it did kind of show how fast they were growing up. But she managed to smile none the less, for it was a true testament to just how far she had come.

"I take it they're going at it again," came a familiar voice from behind.

"Yeah, you know Marcus and Irene…So much like their parents," smiled Raven as she saw her wife and long time friend Irene walk up beside her.

"I wasn't talking about those two…" she grinned, her blind gaze now focusing over towards TJ and Nate.

"Oh…That," said Raven, laughing a bit at her friend's perceptions, "I guess you were right about those two. I've come to know better than to argue with your visions."

"Oh believe me, Raven…I didn't need visions, nor eyesight for that matter, to see this one," she smiled as she took her lover's hand in hers.

As the two women stood in silence, simply watching over the laughing children and the playful romantics between TJ and Nate as well as Jack and Rachel, they couldn't help but smile as they reflected on what had transpired over the last two decades. So much had changed…So much had grown…And here they were, almost 20 years later, watching their grandchildren playfully living it up.

"I know this day is always hard on you, Raven," said Irene, finally breaking the silence.

"Yes…Even after all these years, it still gets to me, I guess," sighed the shape shifter, giving her lover's hand a tight squeeze, "Jack really left his impact…He really made me feel a lot of things that I didn't think I could feel for anyone. And on a day like this, I'm just reminded of how much he did for me in the short time I knew him."

"Indeed…I've noticed that you always seem to lose sleep during this time of year."

"I won't argue that. I still have dreams about those moments we had together. I still have dreams about those nights we shared together…Those nights that helped me turn so many things around. I know you had always given me the visions…But I think it's Jack who gave me the strength."

"And I think if he were alive today, he would be proud of what you've accomplished," said the blind woman, managing a smile despite her wife's obvious sadness towards this matter.

"Well…You'd probably know better than me," she laughed somewhat, "You both had a knack for perception. That's one of the things I liked about him in a ways…Because he kind of reminded me of you."

"Able to look beyond the surface through all the layers of complications you've amassed over the years?" she inquired.

"Well that…And so much more."

The shape shifter then went on to plant an affectionate kiss on her lover's face. Even with everything they had been through, they still found so much to be thankful for. As much a tragedy as Jack's death had been to her, it did end up stirring things with Irene. Because she had two people in her life that had truly struck her heart…And after having lost one, she was determined not to lose another. And for that, she cherished what she had with Irene.

Even though the memories of Kurt and Rogue finding out their mother was bisexual and Irene was her lover were definitely a disturbing, if not slightly entertaining, facet of their relationship…The years had given them all time to adjust and grow with the idea. And from it, they had established a nice, stable life at the institute. Neither of them could have foreseen something like this coming…Even Irene. But for what it was worth…They wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Just then, Kurt appeared in a puff of sulfurous smoke right beside his mother and her wife as they parted. He had also changed in the years as he had cut his long hair short now and had grown a few inches. He looked a bit tired from all the hectic planning that was going on for the big ceremony, but he still managed to smile at the sight of his mother.

"I take it you're finally taking a break," said Mystique as she saw her son's slouched poise.

"Ja, vell…It's been pretty hectic getting everything ready. And besides…A good dip in zhe pool has always done me vell."

"I'll say…And from the looks of it, I think they could use you," said the shape shifter with a laugh as she directed his attention towards the still feuding Marcus and Irene, with Stephen still caught in the middle.

"Oh boy…Zhis could definitely get ugly," sighed Kurt, "Now if you'll excuse me…"

And from there, both Mystique and Irene watched as Kurt finally broke things up as the diligent father and uncle that he was. But aside from that conflict, he still shot TJ some suspicious gazes as she kept on flirting with Nathan. However, that probably stemmed from the fact that he still harbored a bit of a stigma towards that kind of behavior since it had led to Remy knocking up his sister so unexpectedly…Of which, he never quite forgave him for, since they hadn't been married and he had 'kidnapped' her again as they had eloped to Vegas. Mystique had some words with the Cajun as well after that, but it had all worked out for the better and seeing TJ and Nathan grow so close gave them something else to look forward to. Although for Kurt, it was kind of a sign of his age and just like his mother…It was something he just couldn't quite get used to.

But aging aside, a moment like this gave them all so much to think about. And as Raven Darkholme watched her son, her grandkids, and their friend play along all while holding the hand of her wife by her side, she couldn't help but smile…For even an old, bitter woman like her could still find a happy ending through it all. And for that, she sent Jack her deepest thanks…For the life she had made was, as he once so eloquently put it…Beautiful.

Scott's Office – Scott/Vincent

With the last of the paperwork finally done, Scott Summers stretched his tired limbs as he set aside the final formalities for the upcoming fall semester. As Headmaster of the Xavier Institute, a now full fledged school, there was always plenty of paperwork to go around this time of year since students kept coming and going. It had been this way ever since the institute had become more open and public and since the Professor began to take a more hands off approach due to his aging health, he had became the main headmaster since he was one of Xavier's oldest and most prized pupils.

It was a difficult job at times, dealing with so many young mutant children, many of which had somewhat antiquated control over their powers and their lives for that matter, but it was a job he took very seriously and he loved it to death. Together with his wife of nearly 20 years, Jean Grey-Summers, they worked to do their part for mutants everywhere as Professor Xavier had taught them so long ago.

As he took a moment to stretch his limbs, Scott's eyes fell upon on some of the many pictures he had on his desk. They were mainly pictures of his family that he had amassed over the years. There was one of him and his brother taken not long after he learned he was alive. There were later ones of Alex and his wife Lorna, who have been married for nearly 15 years now. And of course, there was one of him and Jean on their wedding day…A day that always made him smile every time he thought about it. There was one of baby Rachel on the day she was born. There was another one with Nathan that was taken a couple of years later. And there was also a very nice picture of him and Jean on their second honeymoon in the Caribbean that they took not long after the whole Phoenix incident.

Even after all these years, he still found it amazing that he married a woman who had possessed the power of a God. Sure, it had been scary for him, but like so many of the other conflicts they had faced in the past, it only served to bring them closer together and preserve their love. Hell, it was because of that love they shared that they managed to overcome those odds in the first place and it was something they both deeply cherished.

While he was lost in his own little world, admiring the pictures that brought back so many memories, he hardly noticed Vincent standing in his doorway with a friendly smile.

"Hey…Still at it I see," he said as he stepped in to his friend's office.

"Yeah, no rest for the weary I guess," sighed Scott as he got up and rubbed some of the stiffness out of his neck, "They call me a hard ass for a reason. Going through all this paperwork will do that to a guy."

"Seriously, Scott…You need a vacation," laughed Vincent.

"Yeah, yeah…I know. That's something my wife has been telling me too. She's already planning a trip to Greece for our 20th anniversary."

"Yeah, I know you two have been making a big deal about that. And I don't blame you…I remember what Emma and I did for our 20th when we went to see the Alps."

"I thought you two didn't even leave the hotel room the entire time?" grinned Scott.

"Well…Most of the time at least," he said, blushing somewhat, "But I'm sure you two will share plenty of that. After all…You did conceive your daughter in a hot tub if I recall."

"God, I'm never going to live that down, am I?" groaned Scott, still laughing somewhat at it all, "How were we supposed to know you could get pregnant in a hot Jacuzzi? Besides, it was our first wedding anniversary. We wanted to celebrate."

"And oh did you ever…" laughed Vincent.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. It's not like we've had time for that lately with all the work we've been doing."

"Well then maybe you two should set aside some alone time together. You know we'll keep an eye on things while you two take a moment to 'relax.'"

"Way ahead of you buddy…Just made motel reservations for later tonight. So don't expect us back till late tomorrow morning."

"Emma gave you that advice, didn't she?" grinned Vincent.

"Hey, it's not like she doesn't practice what she preaches!"

The two men simply shared a good laugh as they reflected on their respective lives. As a couple of former orphans who had lost a lot, they had come a long way. Now they were married to a couple of wonderful girls, had kids they loved to death, and had a live at the institute that they wouldn't trade for anything. Overall, it had been a happy ending for them despite their hardships. And even after all these years, it gave them plenty of reason to smile.

"So I take it Jean told you what happened with Rachel and Jack earlier," said Vince, once again holding back a laugh as he recalled that fateful incident.

"Oh yes…She seemed quite shaken by it," said Scott, laughing again at how Jean had told him about the rather strange position she and Emma had caught their daughter in with her boyfriend, "But then again, it wasn't like we didn't do things like that when we were their age."

"Don't I know it…" said Vincent, shaking his head in amusement, "But still, it's scary isn't it? Knowing our kids are reaching that stage."

"Yeah…Kind of makes me feel old," mused Scott, rubbing a bit of the stubble on his face, "I mean, our kids are growing up so fast. Every time I look at Jack and Rachel, or Nate and TJ for that matter, I get reminded of how Jean and I were growing up."

"Yeah, I know. It really did take a while for those two to come clean with how they felt."

"Like father like son and daughter I guess," sighed Scott, "But hey, they came around in the end. Now it's just a matter of managing how serious they're becoming."

"Yeah, and at this rate, you and I will be in-laws in no time," said Vincent jokingly.

"Hey, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, man," said Scott, growing kind of weary at the mention of something like that since Rachel was still very much his 'little girl.'

"Sorry…But hey, they gotta grow up some time."

"And boy do they grow fast."

Both Scott and Vincent were silent a bit for a minute as their eyes fell upon the pictures again. And of all the photos Scott kept on hand, only one of them had an image of Jack Robinson, the young man they planned to commemorate the anniversary of his great sacrifice. It was a small pic, one that was just taken just before the final battle against Selene. There weren't many images of Slayer, but those that they did have always took special meaning this time of year.

Ever since Jack's death, they had always held a ceremony at his gravesite where they laid his memory to rest all those years ago. And each time, the anniversary took a special meaning in their hearts because it really put into perspective the kind of things Jack made possible with his selfless act. Because of him, the world was still spinning, they managed to build their lives, and they had found their own sense of peace. And for that, they had so many reasons to be thankful for their friend.

"Man…It's hard to believe it's been almost 20 years since…You know," commented Vincent as he saw the late Jack Robinson's image in the photo.

"Yeah…A full two decades," said Scott in a distant tone, "A lot sure has happened since then."

"Definitely…Weddings, expansions, kids, and of course…"

"The Phoenix, yeah I know," said Scott, actually laughing somewhat even though it had been such a trying time for all of them, "Boy we sure could have used him with that."

"No kidding…" said Vince in agreement, "But hey, we came out on top didn't we?"

"That we did… " said Scott with a smile, his eyes falling on a picture of him, Jean, and their kids that had been taken just a few years back, "And to this day, she still likes to wear that pendent that Jack gave her on that final day. And to tell you the truth…I think he sort of knew."

"Yeah, can't say that would surprise me. But I think he also knew that you two had everything you needed to make it through."

"I guess we'll never know for sure," said Scott with another sigh, "But either way, it'll be nice doing this for him. I know that wherever he is now…He'd be proud of what we've done with the things he's given us."

"Well given that he did have an eye that could see everything…I wouldn't doubt that for a second my friend."

The two couldn't help but smile once more as they remembered back to their fallen friend. Even two decades later, his death still hung strong in the air. He had sacrificed everything for them and of all the things they took from that, his final words resonated the strongest. He told them that they had the power…It was just a matter of how they used it. And with everything they and the rest of the X-men have accomplished, they felt as though they had truly used it well.

Then there were the other deaths as well and all the others they had lost in other missions. There were also the other horrors that they had to have dealt with like Operation: Zero Tolerance, The Legacy Virus that took one of their own, the massacres of Genoshia, and of the Morlocks. The failed invasion of the aliens known as The Brood, the Sentinels that had tried to take over the world, old enemies that had been thought of as dead and gone had come back time after time, and also new enemies had appeared as well.

Just then, as the two men were about to make their leave in preparations to find their loved ones for the final ceremony, Professor Charles Xavier entered the room in his patented hover chair invented for him by Forge that he had been using to get around for the last decade. While over the years, he had aged somewhat and was not up to the same level of strength he was once before…That didn't mean he was going to stop his quest anytime soon. And after nearly 20 years, this day held a special significance for him as it did the rest of his students and family. And now it was finally time to celebrate it.

"It's time…" He told the two men.

-Backyard-

By now, mostly everyone was there. There were only a few exceptions. Ray and Roberto had their families over in Europe at the moment, but something came up so they couldn't get back in time. A few of the other teachers or adults were either on missions or couldn't make it. Some of those were men like Bishop the man from a possible future, Jean-Paul Beaubier AKA North Star, Jono or Chamber not to mention Forge as well as Dani Moonstar were busy dealing with something over in LA.

There were a few new faces here. There was Paige and Josh Guthrie, who had joined them over the years. Also, there were Alex and his wife Lorna, who was holding their three year old daughter. Bobby was there with his wife Jubilee. Both had changed…Both had become a bit more serious over the years in fact while in college Bobby had a small relationship with Lorna when she and Alex had separated for a time, but it hadn't lasted.

Jubilee had her long hair cut short, after the death of Angelo AKA Skin she had been so severely depressed and if it wasn't for Bobby hearing about all of this and coming back to help her she wouldn't have made it through her pregnancy. She named her daughter Angelica after her biological father. She had gray like skin just like him too. Although Angelica knew that Bobby was her adopted father, to her he had been the one that had been there for her, to her Bobby was her dad.

Bobby took Angelica in like she really was his daughter even if only in spirit and not in blood. He had grown a bit since then and still carried those scars on his back but he felt he had grown from that experience.

Kitty was there now, no longer with long hair as she linked her arm with that of her husband Piotr. This was always hard on both of them since on this day they remembered all that had died. Many people had come into their lives and some of them unfortunately had died. Among them were Piotr's younger sister, Illyana and a friend of Kitty's from her hometown named Doug. Kitty was flanked by her two children, a fourteen year old girl and seven year old boy named Cathy Illyana Rasputin and Thomas Doug Rasputin.

Logan was there with his wife Ororo. Laura, who was by now thirty three and was seeing someone who she had finally might have fallen in love with was standing with her parents and younger siblings. There was her younger sister Kendal, who was fifteen and looked so much like their mother, but acted more like Logan and young ten year old James who was actually a very shy and rarely became angry. It was obvious he took after his mothers.

Laura after years had finally managed to gain control over her emotions and felt complete. She had a family and a life and she adored her siblings. In fact, Kendal practically worshiped her and wanted to be just like her big sister something that filled Laura with pride and happiness and made the sisters very close. Laura was also very protective of her family and god help anyone that ever tried to harm it.

There were also Rogue and Gambit. Remy hadn't changed much, but Rogue was no longer the Goth that she used to be and was now going with the name Anna at least for the students. Her friends and family still called her Rogue and she preferred that.

Wanda had also given up on the Goth look as her hair was much longer and in curls now. She was actually the councillor for the more trouble students and had gotten a masters in child therapy over the years. She wanted to help traumatised children just like she had once been. Also, with her was and her husband and children was even Pietro. It had taken years, but they had finally managed to patch things up between them. Pietro also had a wife and child, Crystal and Luna, but they were with his wife's family at the moment.

Many of the other adults and families were there. Beast had grown a few grey hairs on the side of his face on his fur, but Sage insisted that he only looked distinguish with it. Amara and August were back from Nova Roma. Her parents had been a bit ill, but thankfully they had a few years before Amara had to take the throne. She was now of course married to August who thankfully it was now legal in all states to marry gay couples.

The oddest thing was the fact they had a fifteen year old daughter named Adora. Whenever anyone asked just how it was possible that August managed to get Amara pregnant all they would say was that August had knew of a little trick with magic and they left it at that. Some just didn't want to know since there would be many ways that would have happened and some of them just didn't want to know the whole thing.

They were gathered there at the monuments. It had first started with Jack, but over time more and more had been added to those that had died trying to make it a better world. There were unique markers for every person there around the central monument.

Each one had a different name on them. They were for, John "Thunderbird" Proudstar, Angelo "Skin" Espinosa, Everett "Synch" Thomas, Clarice "Blink" Ferguson, Illyana "Magik" Rasputin, Doug "Cypher" Ramsey and in the center of it all was the monument dedicated to their first fallen member. Jack "Slayer" Robinson.

Xavier took center stage as he looked over at the faces he had seen over the years. There were some of the students that lived here since they had no homes and a few of the adult teachers among his first students. He saw Tabitha and Same with their three children and smiled as they were just like their mother and now it seemed she knew just what she had put the adults through in her teen years. She had grown into a fine woman over the years with Sam by her side.

He saw the others and remembered how he saw a few of them for the first time, some as children, others as teens some even as enemies but now they were all here together.

"As you know, we have a few traditions were. And one of them is to honor those that gave their lives to ensure a brighter future for us all. We all at this day, the anniversary where the first of us was laid to rest in one of our most important and dangerous battles. His sacrifice then ensured that we all had a future and I must say that it is a good one. I see so many of you with families and loved ones and it fills my heart with joy to see all of this. I know that the sacrifices of each of these people have been hard to bare some more then others, but I do know that if they could see you all now they would be happy to have seen what we have accomplished."

As Xavier spoke these words, Jack's sword seemed to shine as if it were reacting to the emotions present. Even after all these years, it still bore the same brilliance as it did the day Vincent plunged it into the monument. It was a nice way of knowing that a piece of their lost friend was still there and no matter what happened, the shining light from his sword helped guide them all into a future that was always so laced with not just uncertainty…But hope as well.

"We have saved the world, even the universe itself from time to time and have helped many younger people to give them a second chance at life. I know that we will always face new challenges, but when I look at you all I not only see those that had met those challenges and overcame them. I see the next generation who will take up the fight so that others will not have to. So that others can live in peace and know the joys freedom."

Then, all eyes fell on the sword as the spirit that Slayer had instilled upon them…Those ideas of honor, duty, and compassion…Seemed to overtake them all as their hearts and minds lifted together in honor of their fallen friend.

"When he made his final sacrifice, he saved a world that had caused him a lot of pain. Yet despite this…He did it for reasons no such forces could ever touch. His spirit and his heart helped touch us all and even in times of doubt, we should take comfort in what he left behind. Some of you didn't get the chance to know him…Some of you were closer to him than others. But he was the first of us to fall in battle. He was the first of us to make the ultimate sacrifice for something he believed in. Over the years, there have been others that have fallen. Yet through it all, we have persevered through such hardships. And I'd like to think that by doing so…We are honouring Jack's memory in the best way possible."

This ceremony was always hard on the team. For Raven, it always made her cry and she was forced to cling to Irene and her two children, Kurt and Rogue. Even after all these years, she never forgot the impact Jack Robinson had left on her. And to this day…She still missed their conversations. And even though she wasn't much for religion, that didn't stop her from sending out a little prayer.

'I'll always remember those nights we shared, Jack. I still miss you…But rest assured, I'll never forget what you've done for me.'

Laura, as well, was hard hit by this. She always needed the support of Logan and Ororo to get through it. And this time, she was hugging Kendall tightly for strength as a tear escaped her eyes, hoping that wherever Slayer was now, she remembered how much he still meant to her.

'Thank you for teaching me, Jack. Even though I never got a chance to beat you…I'll always remember how you taught me to follow my heart.'

Even those who hadn't even met Slayer were taken by this ceremony. For Jack Freeman, this day always held an important meaning for him. After all, this was the man responsible not just for his existence, but that of his whole family. Looking over at his mom and dad, who always held hands and stayed close during this moment, he found himself smiling somewhat as he grasped Rachel's hand and sent a prayer out to the man who's name he bore with such pride.

'I'm sorry I never got a chance to meet you. But I promise you, Slayer…Until the day I die, I will always bear your name with honor.'

Emotions ran high as the Professor took a deep breath before closing this up. The souls of the lost would always be in their hearts and through the brilliant glow of Slayer's sword, the residents of the Xavier Institute, both old and young alike, took comfort in knowing that no matter what happened…The spirits of their fallen friends were forever watching over them and guiding them in their never-ending journey.

"And so, with the spirit and souls of our fallen friends in mind. And on the anniversary of the day when one of our own, Jack Robinson, gave his life to save us all…We all send out our prayers. Slayer's final words to us were, 'You have the power…It's just a matter of how you use it.' And I'd like to think that through thick and thin, sorrow and joy, victory and defeat…We shall always remember the blessings and curses we bear. Even in a world that hates and fears us…We continue our fight. And with the power that we've been blessed with…We honor all the final words of our friend."

Among the group they all felt his words. Some of the married couples like Jean and Scott where holding each other close as the younger ones like Jack and Rachel were holding each other's hands as well. There were many there with a few tears and others that felt inspired to live up to the legacy that was before them.

The fight between darkness and light was eternal, but there would always be those that would fight against the darkness for many different reasons. Some for equality, some for freedom, and some fought to help others or to save lives. There were even those that fought for honor like the legacy of Slayer had so passionately taught and in commemoration of such a sacrifice, they would always embraced that legacy.

They were all united…Mutants, X-Men, and family. They would always stand united and the world would always be a safer place with men and woman like that to look out for it and to protect it. And no matter what the future held for them, they had learned that no matter what the future threw at them…There would always be the shining light of hope to guide them through the darkness.

THE END

Well that's it. After over a year we are finished with this story. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we wrote it and this is the longest thing we have ever done. I honestly don't think we could ever top this, but trust me we'll try. And for those of you that are sad to see it go, trust me, we will both eventually do one-shots, mini-fics, and spin offs that can be based on this fic so it won't totally die, but I think we both will take a break from this for a bit first.

But I do plan to do a small fic out lining Emma's wedding and her pregnancy at some point so keep an eye out for that one day.