LOVE & MARRIAGE

Part I: Dearly Beloved, We Are Gathered Here Today

By David Wheatley

“Do you think this’ll work?” asked Kylun as they waited at the airport for the arrival of the Worthington jet, carrying the latest of the guests to arrive in the UK for the wedding of Logan and Elektra. “I mean, the other team are okay, and it’s good to see Kurt again, but isn’t this the team that’s created all the trouble?”

“Yes,” said Brian as a plane took off. “But I’m hoping that everyone can be civil to one another. It is a wedding after all, and we are family.”

“Martinique would disagree.”

“So let’s not tell her,” said Brian with a grin as he saw the private jet of Warren Worthington III circle for a landing. The Uncanny X-Men were about to land in the UK. He knew exactly what Kylun was feeling because this team of X-Men had split from the other team and rows had ensued between them. Not even the recent crisis with Apocalypse had sealed the rift. Then there were other difficulties, such as the situation with this team and his sister Betsy.

“Here we go,” he said as the plane came to a stop and the door opened to reveal the guests. Scott Summers looked around nervously as he exited the plane. It was he who had fired Psylocke from the team, when they had a blazing row about the internal politics and he wasn’t entirely sure how Brian would react.

“Brian,” he said.

“Welcome to England, Scott.” He extended his hand and Scott took it. There were no hard feelings between them and Scott relaxed a little. The next figure to come through the door was Warren, Betsy’s ex for want of a better word. They’d been so happy together, thought Brian, and it was such a shame how they’d broken apart like that. A simple row that had caused such a rift between them barely made sense, but then again what did when you were in love?

“Hullo, Warren,” said Brian. “Been a while.”

“Likewise,” said Warren. “How are things?”

“Things are fine,” he answered, both understanding what the other meant.

“I’m pleased,” said Warren. “Listen, Scott and I have to go sort some things out at customs, Scott as pilot and me as owner. Would you and Kylun give the others a hand?”

“No problem,” said Brian and Kylun nodded. There had been a definite chill in the air that the furred mutant had felt to the bone and maybe the others would be a little friendlier.

“BRIAN!” shouted Kitty as she more or less flew down the stairs and they met each other, Brian lifting Kitty up as the former teammates greeted each other.

“How’ve you been?” asked Brian, putting her down, knowing about her experiences with Apocalypse. Logan had been here a few days and he’d filled them in on what had happened.

“I’m fine,” said Kitty. “What about you? How’s Meggan? Hiya, Kylun. What’s been happening…”

“Slow down,” laughed Jean as she made her way down the steps towards them. “You’ll have plenty of time to catch up when we get to the manor.” Kitty flushed slightly at the rebuke but in this mood it was hard to stay anything but happy for more than a moment. Brian took Jean by the hand and kissed her on the cheek.

“You look fabulous,” he said and she flushed as well. For a woman who’d had twins not too long ago, she had kept her figure. “How are the children?”

“They’re fine,” said Jean. “They’re at my parents while we’re over here. It’s not good for them to travel when they’re this young.”

“An expert already?” teased Brian.

“No,” said the man walking down the stairs with Kylun who had gone to get the hand luggage from the plane. “Doctor’s orders. Mine and Doctor Reyes’.”

“Doctor McCoy,” nodded Brian. As a physicist, Brian respected Henry P. McCoy more than most others. The X-Man and former Avenger known as the Beast was one of the great scientific minds of the era.

“Mister Braddock,” Hank replied and they shook hands, Brian feeling the fur underneath the image inducer that Beast was wearing to keep a low profile. “Always a pleasure.”

“Kylun, do you want to escort the ladies and Doctor McCoy to the cars while I get the bags, then we’ll go and meet Peter at the terminal?”

“You just want to show your powers off now that you have them back,” grinned Kylun and Brian winked at him as Kitty gasped. She hadn’t known he was Captain Britain once more. “I’ll tell you all about it while we walk,” said Kylun. The chill in the air had gone and Excalibur was beginning to feel like home again.

Back at Braddock Manor, the other X-Men were settling in and getting ready for the big occasion. Nightcrawler sat in the armchair in the lounge and looked about, thinking how much he missed being a part of the team and knowing he couldn’t return until Professor X was either cured or succumbed to the Legcay Virus that ravaged his body.

“Penny fer ’em, Elf?” came the unmistakable voice of Wolverine. It had been a few months since they had been together in this house. Just after the whole business with Chen Yu when Logan had been reunited with Elektra, leading up to the approaching wedding.

“I was just thinking about things,” he said. “The X-Men, my life, where I fit in.”

“I know that song,” said Logan, sitting down. Kurt half expected to see a cigar in his friend’s mouth but then he remembered that Logan’s healing factor had been turned against him and that he was dying as much as Xavier was. “Things have certainly changed.”

“Logan,” said Kurt. “We’ve not had a chance to talk since you found out you were dying. I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault, Elf,” answered Wolverine. “Mine, mostly. These past few years I’ve been cheatin’ death by inches and now it looks like it’s caught up with me.”

“Is that why you’re getting married? Because you won’t get another chance?”

“Nope,” said Logan. “I’m getting’ married because I love her. I’ve been in love and not married, I’ve been married when I’ve not been in love, I just want to grab some happiness for a while. While I got a chance. I want to see if I can live a normal life for a change.”

“You think you can?” asked Kurt, wishing his friend the success and peace so far denied him in his life.

“Maybe, but not for long. Thing is however hard life kicks you, you always get a break. May not be for long, and it may not happen often but you do. I’m gonna hold on to this one.”

“Sound advice, my friend,” said a female voice from behind him. Logan smiled as Kurt looked up to see Betsy Braddock standing there.

“Darlin’,” Logan greeted her.

“Elizabeth,” said Nightcrawler, standing up and offering her the chair.

“I’m okay, Kurt,” she answered. “Just being helping the others settle in. Steadying myself for the arrival of the others.”

“You’ll be fine,” said Logan, looking at her. “You’ve survived worse than a few cold shoulders.” Besty smiled. Thanks to the psionic rapport she and Logan shared, she knew him almost better than anyone else on the X-Men.

“It’s just things went so wrong in the States. I don’t know if I can face them.”

“Professor Xavier was much the same when he met the other team of X-Men,” said Kurt. “Sometimes pride and everything that goes with it take a back seat to what’s important.”

“Ain’t that easy, Elf.”

“We can but try,” answered Kurt. “Where are the others, Betsy?”

“Rogue and Gambit are walking in the grounds, Storm is outside soaking in the atmosphere of the English countryside and Robert and Charles are getting ready to meet the others again.”

“Elektra’s with Meggan,” said Logan. “They’re pickin’ up her wedding dress and Martinique’s with Banshee and Jubilee.”

“She’s been wanting to speak to them about the White Queen since she heard they were coming,” said Psylocke as she looked outside.

“Interesting,” said Kurt. “I wonder why?”

“Maybe she needs trainin’,” said Logan with a growl. He hadn’t had the best of times the last time he’d met her, when she was working with Arcade.

“Pete vouches for her,” said Betsy. “If he thinks she’s on the level…”

“Huh,” said Logan.

“Pete’s word is good enough for me, mein freund.” Kurt was a little disappointed to learn that Pete had taken a leave of absence to deal with recent events, but then with Kitty being about perhaps it was a good idea. He remembered the last time he’d spoken to Pete, just before Kurt had left to rejoin the X-Men.

“Hope yer right,” said Logan as he stood up. “Gonna get some fresh air, have a chat with Ororo.” The other two watched him walk away.

“I’ve never seen him like this,” said Psylocke.

“Me neither,” said Kurt. “I don’t know whether it’s good or bad though. Time will tell.” Psylocke nodded.

“Fancy a cup of tea?” she asked and Kurt nodded. It was good to be home, if only for a short while.

In London, Meggan and Elektra had spent the day getting the final preparations ready for the wedding, making the final adjustments to her dress and generally having an afternoon on the town.

Elektra smiled, thinking it had been a long time since she’d had any female friends to try this with. There had never seemed to be time with Nina, and before that things had gotten in the way. She had no friends, few family and she was a little apprehensive about becoming part of Xavier’s family.

Then there was Meggan. An orphan who had been adopted by Brian and they had fallen in love. She’d not had too many friends either and with no family at all she had given herself to Brian and joined the family by default. With that family she’d made new friends and developed as a person and Elektra respected and admired the inner peace that Meggan had about her.

A peace Elektra was striving for, and now had a shot at finding herself. No matter what apprehensions she had about the X-Men, she had found a good man in Logan and she knew they’d be good parents.

“Have you and Brian thought about children?” she asked, as they sat in a café outside St. James’ Park.

“It’s never really come up,” admitted Meggan. “I’ve not thought about it before, and if Brian had, he’s never mentioned it. What’s it like?”

“It’s a strange feeling. The power you have carrying a new life inside you, and the responsibility that goes with that power. It’s a humbling thought that though we never anticipated becoming parents, we wouldn’t trade what we had now for anything. Not even a little more time together. We’re glad with what we’ve got and though it may only last a few years, maybe even less, it’ll have been worth it.” A tear rolled down Elektra’s cheek as she spoke.

“I’m sorry,” said Meggan, her empathy telling her that even though Elektra was happy, she didn’t know what would happen after Logan died. She took Elektra’s hand in her own and looked at her. “I really am.”

“It’s not your fault,” said Elektra. “I just get these mood swings. I try and control them but it’s hard.”

“It is though,” said Meggan, relieved at having someone to talk to about it. “I know what was done to him. I know how it was done and I hope someday I can undo it.”

“What do you mean?” asked Elektra, and Meggan explained about her connection to the Alshra, and how she’d been practicing her control over the spirit plane in an effort to find a cure for Logan. “Can you do it?”

“I don’t know,” admitted Meggan. “My control is not that good yet and I’m still only learning. One day I hope I can, but not yet.”

“Oh,” said Elektra, the hopes she had of an instant recovery fading, but a strand remained. As long as Meggan could try, could learn and could expand her powers there was always hope. “I know you’ll try your best,” she said. “Thank you.”

“Don’t be silly,” said Meggan. “It’s the least I can do for a friend.”

Elektra smiled at that and she knew they were right to have the wedding here. She didn’t know why Logan had insisted on having it in the UK, but so far he was being proved right.

Martinique Jason sat in the hall of Braddock Manor talking with Sean Cassidy and Jubilation Lee. They knew who she was and she knew who they were, but they had a connection to someone who had denied her since birth. So far they’d not realized why she was asking the questions, other than to find out about her father’s past.

“Is there anything else, lass?” asked Banshee. The White Queen was not one of his favourite subjects but they did have a good working relationship. Could he help it if she was a damned attractive woman, who not only knew how to show off and use her body, but also used it as weapon against him? He was after all, only human.

“I think so,” said Martinique, as she pondered the information she’d been given. “She sounds like a women who cares for her children.”

“Sometimes you wonder though,” said Jubilee. “I mean, there are times when she’s real scary and you wonder whose side she’s really on.”

“Lass, why are ye asking about her?” asked Sean, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“You both know my father was Jason Wyngarde, the man better known as Mastermind to the X-Men. You know my powers of illusion come from him, but I also have a telepathic talent that makes my illusions seem real and allow me to pull the greatest desires of my target from the depths of their mind.”

“We know,” said Jubilee. She didn’t trust Martinique for what she’d done to Logan and Gambit when she worked for Arcade, for framing Logan for murder and making him doubt himself. Jubilee looked on Wolverine as a friend and mentor who had saved her life many times over. She had saved his too but there was something between the two of them that went deeper.

She loved him like a father, he loved her like a daughter and they both knew it. They missed each other and now he was dying and there was nothing either of them could do. Now he looked as if he were going to be happy and she could not be more pleased. At least Elektra was prettier than Viper.

“Yes,” said Marty. “The thing is, I’ve never met my mother. Mastermind got into the Hellfire Club on the recommendation of Emma Frost. She helped him to subvert the Phoenix entity and trained him in psychic combat. Nobody seems to know why, but I think I do.”

“Are ye seriously thinking what I think ye are?” said Sean, catching on to what was being said.

“Yes,” said Martinique. “You see from letters that my father wrote, I know that he and Emma Frost had a relationship, a fairly intimate one.”

“You mean they were lovers?” asked Jubilee. “Which means that… oh, jeez!” Jubilee now saw where she was going as well.

“Yes. From the evidence I have found, I believe that Emma Frost is my mother.”

Professor Xavier sat out of the veranda of the manor, looking at the countryside. He’d been here once before when he had come at Kurt’s behest to help Rachel. He had done as much as he could then and he had not returned since, even though he had been with Excalibur when they were resident on Muir Island.

For a moment he regretted not staying here longer, for it was much like the mansion house back at the Institute, except it had an innocence here that belied the events that had taken place. The mansion had been destroyed, ravaged, violated and worse and no longer had the feel it once had to him. Braddock Manor reminded him of his childhood.

“Professor,” said Psylocke as she came and stood by him. Meggan and Elektra had arrived back a few moments ago, and so Kurt was helping them with the bags, and she didn’t fancy being alone too much at the moment. Feron was about somewhere and Tangerine was seeing a specialist about her broken neck and paralysis. Plus after what Nightcrawler had told her, she figured that Charles might need someone to talk to who felt the same way.

“Good afternoon, Elizabeth,” said Charles as she pulled up a chair and sat next to him. “How are you feeling?”

“The same as you, I expect,” she said. “I may not be a telepath anymore but I do know that look in your eyes. I see it when I look in the mirror.”

“Yes, the circumstances are not of the greatest for this kind of occasion. I just hope that we can step aside everything for one weekend where we should be celebrating.”

“Is it possible?”

“I believe so. I’ve spoken with Robert and he says he will try and keep things cool. No pun intended.”

“Of course,” smiled Betsy.

“Of all of my team of X-Men,” he said with a trace of sadness as he noted the division between the two teams, “he’s the one who links us together. The only one of my original students not to defect.”

“And the one who can most likely keep the peace?”

“Yes. Perhaps Kurt as well, but there aren’t many of Scott’s team who would listen to him. Scott and Storm’s battle did not improve her relationship with him, Logan would love to tell Scott what he really thinks and Rogue and Gambit are passionate and here for each other. Rogue is here so I can help her, Gambit is here for Rogue and loyalty to Ororo, which means he would take on Scott faster than Logan.”

“All families have their problems,” reminded Betsy. “Jamie for one.”

“Yes,” said Charles. “I agree, but I fear that there is nothing we can do to reunite our teams and unite the dream. I see Scott and I becoming the same as I am with Magnus, and I’m old. Even though this cloned body is young, I am old inside and the Legacy Virus is taking its toll.”

“Charles…”

“There’s no need for sympathy, Elizabeth. I know how you felt when Kwannon succumbed to the Virus. Her death touched us all.”

“Don’t give up hope, Charles. Stryfe didn’t kill you before, he won’t now.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” said Charles as he touched her hand. “One of these days I must look at your problems with the Shadow King.”

“Whenever you feel able,” said Elizabeth, and Charles nodded. Then he felt the touch of Jean’s mind and he smiled.

“They’re here,” he said.

Logan and Storm were walking in the grounds of the mansion, talking and discussing the future for the both of them. Storm was anxious about Iceman’s role in the team, about how there was a rift between the two of them that was more dangerous than any enemy they faced, especially with the gap between Scott and Charles.

Logan was in return explaining how Bobby could handle himself and that Kurt was helping him in the right direction and that he was learning. He suggested that maybe Storm’s fight with Cyclops all those months back was clouding her judgement and she admitted he might be right. Then they heard the cars arrive with the visitors.

“You’ll be fine,” said Logan as he walked up to greet the guests for the wedding.

Outside it was an Excalibur reunion as Kitty, Kurt, Meggan, Brian, Kylun, and Colossus were reunited. Colossus had managed to get a few days leave from the Winter Guard for the visit and it was a rare chance for Excalibur to come together.

Then there was the reuniting of the original X-Men. It hadn’t been too long since the business with Apocalypse had ended, but it was a special feeling all the same. Professor X came out to see them and there was a hush as he and Scott met each other.

“Scott,” said Charles.

“Professor,” said Scott. There was a chill to their tones, but in those greetings both gave an unspoken agreement that for the sake of the weekend they could be civil towards one another at least. They may have been X-Men but this was not a time for business and everyone hoped that the truce extended to the other arguments that were being had.

“Let me show you to your rooms,” said Brian and he kissed Meggan on the cheek as he walked past, carrying the bags with little effort, followed and matched by Colossus. Meggan wrinkled her nose, knowing that even though that Brian and Peter had patched things up before he had left the team with Kitty and Kurt that the heart of the problem still remained and as he walked past Meggan, Peter couldn’t look her in the eye. He hadn’t made eye contact with her since she’d greeted him on arrival.

Logan slipped his arm round Elektra’s waist and smiled, and so did she to feel him there.

“Listen,” she said. “Meggan has news for us.”

“What kind of news?” he asked.

“She’s working on a way to fix your healing factor,” she said. Logan looked up and across at Meggan, who looked back at him. She gave a little smile and he nodded at her in return.

“Later,” he said. “I want to give the guys a hand. After all, I won’t be with them too much after this.” Elektra nodded and Logan went to give them a hand. Then she turned and looked at Betsy.

“You okay?” she asked, knowing that it was difficult for her.

“I think so,” replied Psylocke. “I…”

“Hello, Betsy,” said Warren as he approached her and Elektra withdrew allowing them to talk in private.

“Warren,” she said.

“Can we talk?” he asked and she nodded. From the roof of the manor, Storm looked down on them and wondered if things could be that easy between her and Scott and she knew they’d find out later when they were all gathered together in one place for the evening meal. A family gathering before the big day tomorrow and she could see Rogue and Gambit returning from their walk. The feelings and emotions of the day must have been taking their toll on the two of them as well.

“Goddess smile on us all,” she said.

Pete Wisdom entered the pub and was met with an ominous silence.

“Long time no see, Wisdom,” said one of the intelligence men, but Pete ignored them as he walked over to the bar, seeing the person he was looking for.

“Dougie,” he said to the newly appointed head of the Inter-Regional Taskforce. Douglas Fairbanks-Mountbatten had got the job after the death of Dai Thomas. The IRT had floundered for a while until Alistaire Stuart at WHO had said that the IRT were a vital part of the security of the UK and needed support, funding and a good man to lead them.

Douglas had been a top man at WHO and Alistaire had persuaded to take it on. He wasn’t Dai Thomas but he was a good man who knew his stuff, and Wisdom needed a word with him. His family had suddenly become ‘unobtainable’, and he wanted to know why. His sister Romany had been recently linked with Dougie, so he was hoping he knew where to find her.

“Wisdom,” said Dougie as he took a drink from the pint of stout he held in his hands and Pete suddenly remembered why he didn’t like the haggis-eating pillock. He had the same tone as that harpy MacTaggert except he didn’t have the grounds to use it, which made it even worse.

“Where is she?” said Pete, getting down to business. “Where’s Romany and that miserable git we call our father?”

“Don’t you know?” asked Dougie with a smile. “Looks like hanging around with the superheroes has made you soft, Wisdom.”

“Don’t push it, Dougie, I’m not in the mood. What’s going on?”

“Things have been happening. WHO recruited her in to doing some research into the undead. Apparently there are some very strange things going on down by the Thames and they figured she could give them a hand.”

“Oh, God,” said Pete with a sigh, knowing that Romany couldn’t resist things like that and knowing also that she was in trouble. “When did she vanish?”

“About a week or so ago, and your dad went after her. Course being one armed these days doesn’t help his cause.”

“Are you and Romany still tight?” asked Pete. “She’s not got bored of you and ditched you for a Welshman?”

“No,” said Douglas with a chuckle. “I see your sense of humour’s a good as ever. Why ask though?”

“So I can know how pissed at me she’s gonna be.”

“What for?” asked Dougie and Pete sighed as the ignorant berk left himself wide open and he planted Dougie’s head in the side of the bar repeatedly.

“Never liked you,” he said after he’d finished and Dougie was slumped across the bar. The regulars went back to their drinks knowing this kind of thing happened all the time in here.

“Mister Wisdom,” called a voice as he was making his way out and over to WHO headquarters. He turned to see who wanted a slapping now and noticed that it was…

“Threadgold,” he said as he spotted the man. “Scicluna let you off the leash?”

“Not quite,” he said. “Black Air haven’t finished with you and yours just yet, Mister Wisdom.”

“You wanna take this outside,” said Pete, lighting up a cigarette. “Be my guest. I’ve still got some aggression left that I could really do with taking out.”

“Now isn’t the time, Mister Wisdom. I’m actually here with a warning. Your friends are in danger.”

“What now?” he asked, suddenly suspicious. “And why tell me?”

“Call it a favour. A man is making his way to Braddock Manor with murder in his heart. The man named Victor Creed.”

“Sabretooth,” said Pete. “Why?”

“Because there is something taking place he would love to ruin. Your friends aren’t ready for him, especially with the infighting.”

“What infighting?” asked Pete.

“Didn’t you know? The X-Men are there. Including your former flame, Katherine Pryde.”

Pete froze at the mention of Kitty’s name. The X-Men would get so wrapped up in their own squabbling; Creed would walk in and gut them all. Romany and his dad would have to wait. He needed to get back to the manor and he walked out. Threadgold smiled and Scicluna came over.

“He took the bait. We’ll be able to advance things without his interference.”

“Excellent,” she answered. “Let’s get back to the Dome. We have work to do.” He nodded and they both walked out and headed towards the river.

The middle of the afternoon had become late evening and the X-Men had just finished a meal. It wasn’t the greatest of atmospheres but they were being civil and polite with each other, but the traveling and recent events were starting to wear on everyone and there was a tension in the air that Meggan could feel in her soul. The room was a powder keg ready to blow.

Professor Xavier excused himself and went for an early night, the strain obvious at keeping the thoughts of the others out of his head, especially when they had been so close once and not as far apart as they were now. Others trailed off as the clock ticked by and soon there weren’t too many of them left up.

In the room were a handful of them left. Scott, Jean, Betsy, Brian, Warren, Logan, Elektra and Storm all sat around in relative silence. Of all of the X-Men who were in the manor this was a coincidence that was ironic to those sitting here.

“Well,” said Logan making the first move. “I think it’s time we all headed out. It’s goin’ to be a long day.”

“It’s already been a long day,” said Scott, making the first comment of the night. He was tired and his concentration slipped for a second.

“Really?” asked Storm, a chill in her voice. “Then why are you still up?” The emotional wounds of what he did to her when the X-Men had split came to the fore. She had respected Scott once, but no longer.

“‘Roro,” said Logan, knowing that she was under a lot of pressure with her team and that he really didn’t want things getting out of hand. He could see in Jean’s eyes she felt the same and that she was telepathically telling Scott to calm down as well.

“At least Xavier didn’t demote me,” said Scott out loud, a smugness in his voice. “The pressure get to you?” he taunted. “Or was the possibility of losing all his original students more than he could bear?”

“Scott,” said Warren, shocked at the way Cyclops was talking. “Leave it.”

“No,” said Betsy, who had been spoiling for a fight. Scott was pushing it. “Let him have his say.”

“Yes,” agreed Storm. “I too would like to hear what he has to say.”

“Please,” said Brian, standing and hoping to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand and someone said something they’d all regret. “It’s late. Get some sleep. All of you.”

“Protecting your sister?” asked Scott. “Tell me, Psylocke, if my leadership skills weren’t that great and I need Xavier, how come we managed to beat Apocalypse with our way?”

“Scott,” said Jean but she had no effect on him.

“Watch yer mouth, bub,” said Logan. He didn’t take lightly to attacks on his friends and Logan put her hand on his shoulder. He knew he was acting irrationally because of his condition, and because he was scared of what was going to happen and he cooled himself. He wasn’t in the condition to fight. “I wouldn’t treat her like that.”

“I can see where he’s coming from said,” said Jean. “Elizabeth was a little harsh then. We all said some things we regret, right?” Her prompt was at Betsy, to try and diffuse the situation as much as the others. However the others had other ideas.

“No,” said both Scott and Betsy.

“I was going to quit anyway and I stand by what I said. Scott’s leadership capabilities are nothing anymore. He does the same thing he accuses others of and refuses to accept that he is as much like Charles as Charles is.”

“I fired you for a reason,” said Scott. “What use is a shoddy telepath, with feeble ninja skills? You were given everything to you on a silver plate and when the going got tough you acted like a spoiled child and stormed off.”

“Hey,” said Warren, now seeing what had happened between the two of them before. How much of this was due to the fact Scott had once had a crush on Betsy and that while nothing had happened between the two of them, her comments hit him in a deeper part of him than he would admit. It might also explain why Jean had reacted to her so badly as well.

“And you didn’t?” said Storm. “How hypocritical of you, Scott.”

“Please,” Brian implored as the argument took a darker turn and the comments started to become more and more barbed.

“Let’s talk hypocritical,” said Scott. “How well has the dream fared under your guidance, Ororo?”

“Better than it did under yours,” she retorted. “You walked away so many times it was incredible. Loyalty obviously means nothing to you.”

“Storm,” said Jean. “That’s unfair.”

“Really?” said Psylocke. “Like marrying a woman because she looks like your dead girlfriend?”

Silence filled the room at that comment. That shot hit home, Jean’s eyes closed before the tears came and both Warren and Brian couldn’t believe she’d said that. Logan and Elektra looked at each other uncomfortably, thinking that they’d known the risks of something like this happening and blaming themselves while they hoped things weren’t ruined. As Ororo put her arm around Jean’s shoulders to comfort her friend, Scott stood up and walked over to where Betsy stood.

“What would you know of love, you cold hearted bitch? You were only with Warren because he gave you a status you’d never get on your own merits.”

Then Betsy slapped him, with a resounding thwack.

“How dare you?” she said.

“That was out of line, Scotty,” said Warren. “I think you should apologize.”

“Oh, come on Warren. The way she left you high and dry, anyone would think you’d be pleased to have her out of your life. I know I was.”

“I’d take that back, bub,” said Logan standing next to Scott. “Otherwise you’ll be eating more than yer words.” The muscles on Logan’s arms twitched as they noted he was about to loose the claws.

“Logan,” said Elektra, not wanting him to unleash his claws on Scott, not out of worry for Cyclops for he could handle himself, but for the damage that would be done and for the healing factor that would repair the damage and futher hasten the end of Logan’s life.

“It isn’t worth it,” said Brian, looking Logan in the eye. “Go get some sleep, my friend.”

“You’re right,” said Logan and he took Elektra by the hand, and before he left the room he looked at them. “Some people have some growing up to do.” The he walked away.

“Thank you,” said Jean to Brian.

“That’s okay,” said Brian and he walked over to Scott. “I know you’re tired and stressed but please don’t talk like to my sister in my house again. Now get some sleep.”

“Who put you in charge?” asked Scott. “I can see high-handed arrogance runs in the family.”

“Fine,” said Brian and smacked him in the mouth. Scott hit the deck, and Jean ran over to him.

“I think it’s time we all got some sleep,” she said and Brian nodded and everyone started to make their way out of the room. Warren turned to see how his friend was, his loyalties torn between Scott and Betsy as Jean lifted Scott’s head and he looked up at her.

“Madelyne?” he asked and her eyes went wide. The anger she had felt and tried to fight moments ago welled up and she hit him with a telepathic whammy and finished the job Brian had started.

“Oh, tomorrow is going to be such fun,” said Warren as he lifted Scott over his shoulder and carried him back to Jean’s room.

“It’ll all look better in the morning,” she said, and Warren didn’t say a word. He just nodded a goodnight at her and went to his own room.

In the shadows of the Manor, Kurt had watched it all and he wondered where it would all end and that the divisions in the family needed to be put to one side if only for a short while. Then he went to bed himself, praying for something better than where they currently were.

NEXT: The story continues in Wolverine Annual 2000, where the arguments continue, but something worse is threatening to ruin the big day, and it’s not something that will be easily stopped with the X-Men family as divided as they are.