[OP: "All I Want"-- Eurielle]

Five years later:

Location: Unspecified College Campus

Event: Kitty Pryde's college graduation ceremony.

"I won't say I never thought this day would come," Ryan remarked to Jubilee from the auditorium, "'cause I think we all knew it would. But is it just me, or did it feel like time just flew by from here?"

Jubilee took his hand and shrugged. "Eh, felt long enough to me... That'd better be me up there in a few years."

"It will be... It's not like you got held back. Kitty's just graduating early," Ryan reminded her.

"Sure...so she can be the next big thing," Jubilee said.

"What's crazy is that there's mutants in this crowd, and no one's doing a thing." Ryan looked around. "Even some we don't now."

"Probably from the club," Jubilee said. "I think all of them knew she was a mutant."

She waved at one person, who waved back.

"We're totally going out to celebrate later," she said. "Though I know Wolverine is going to insist on chaperoning us even though we're freaking adults now."

"Not to him, but I guess he's pretty old." Ryan shrugged. He kind of preferred it that way; the other kids could get a little out of hand.

Trinity suddenly sat down next to them. Kevin was right behind her.

"Did I miss it?" she asked.

"No, they're not even starting yet," Jubilee said, hugging her. "So you made it."

"Sure, I got the day off." Trinity put her purse down.

"So how's your new school?" Ryan asked.

"Oh...well, the training is brutal," Trinity said. "But after two semesters, it's not so bad. I'm getting really good at survival stuff. I could totally live in the wilderness for a week with a knife and a tin cup...or something like that."

"What about you, Kev?" Jubilee asked. "College isn't kicking your butt, right?"

"Not the studying part." Kevin's accent was much lighter than it used to be after all this time. "Still getting used to the schedule...and the dorms. My mother still thinks I should have gone to school closer to home and live with them, but I think I'll like it all right in time."

"Well, your mom would have wanted that no matter how well adjusted you are," Jubilee snorted.

"Where's all the veteran team members?" Trinity asked. "They're not sitting with us?"

"Ah, no, they had to be late, so they're probably in the back." Jubilee craned her neck. "There, I see most of them."

"Oh, I see." Trinity waved at them. "Is that Hank's girlfriend with him? Carly?"

"Yeah, that's her. I haven't talked to her much, but she's nice," Jubilee said.

"I can't believe he moved out of the Mansion," Trinity said.

"Oh, yeah, he's got a legit job in the government... Didn't I tell you that?" Jubilee said.

"Only about three times. I still just can't believe it, how many people have moved out and in," Trinity said.

"I'm moving out once I graduate, if I can," Ryan said. "But paying for housing was just...you know, not something my parents needed to worry about."

"Hey, no one's judging you," Trinity said. "If my schooling was close to home, I'd be doing that too. Ah, well, at least Kevin and I are in the same State, so we can visit each other a lot."

Kevin smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, yeah. Huh, your anniversary is coming up, huh?" Jubilee said. "Dating for two years now, right?"

"Just about," Trinity said.

"Good thing, too. One of the other vixens on camp might have snapped him up," Jubilee said. "They're terrible flirts at my school."

"I'm sure you can handle them," Trinity said, amused. "I see Gambit...and Rogue...and there's Logan and Storm, of course... Oh, did they bring the baby? I haven't even met her yet."

"Yeah, but that's nothing--Shine and Wally brought both of theirs," Jubilee said. "I wouldn't want to be stuck with two kids in this packed space, but I guess they're fast enough to handle it."

"Oh, I see them," Trinity said. "Yeah...so they're never leaving, huh? I haven't really talked to them about it, but that's what you told me, right?"

"Right, they got the update that this is their permanent residence or whatever," Jubilee said. "At least for the known future. They still go on missions from time to time. They let the others babysit, but they're only ever gone for a few days of our time at most. More wild stories every time. You should ask them about it."

"Not sure there's enough time in the day for that," Trinity said.

"I want to hear it," Kevin said.

"I don't see Morph or Raven though," Trinity said.

"They said they'd try to be back in time in their last message," Ryan said. "At least that's what the Professor told me, but I guess you can't time things really precisely."

"Oh, wait...there they are." Trinity pointed. "They just walked in. They look a little disheveled...but they're in one piece."

"That job is so weird to think about," Kevin commented.

"I think it's cool," Ryan said.

"Are those kids some of your new students?" Trinity said. "I feel like you've doubled the number just this year, when I visited over Christmas."

"Some of them are. Some of them are friends from church and the Outreach Center," Jubilee said. "I don't know all of them either."

"I'm looking forward to summer vay-cay so I can spend some time there again," Trinity said. "And not just for the credits, though it's amazing that we can count it for that now. So much changed since we started, didn't it?"

"Are we just going to go down memory lane?" Ryan said. "Because that's gonna take forever, and I think that's the beginning now."

Someone had finally walked to the podium.

The conversation stopped abruptly for the young adults.

But in the back, it went on longer than it really should have, because fewer people could hear.

"I really thought y'all weren't gonna make it after all," Rogue hissed at Morph and Raven when they snuck into the row.

"Just barely." Morph tapped his watch. "But who'd want to miss this? Kitty's been waiting for this ever since she first arrived at the Mansion. Gosh, remember how tiny she was back then?"

"She's certainly all grown up now." Raven eyed her where she was sitting.

"She's 20," Shine said. "Youngest graduate in her class... She only reminded us of that about 12 times in the last month, but she earned it. And you'll be interested to know her and Pietro finally had their first date last week."

"Took them long enough." Raven sat back and folded her arms.

"Some things shouldn't be rushed," Storm commented.

"Says the woman who got married after three months," Raven retorted.

"Says the woman who got married only 2 months after that," Storm replied evenly.

"At least I didn't wait 8 years." Raven cast a look at Rogue.

"Not countin' before we were really datin', it weren't that long," Rogue shot back. "Some of us like to take our time."

"We're supposed to be listening." Scott adjusted his glasses. "Do you all mind?"

The talk subsided.

Kitty was also valedictorian, so she gave a speech of the typical variety.

"The nice thing is she won't be in debt," Wally said. "Full scholarships rock."

"I'm hungry," Gracie said.

"All right, Daddy's got you covered." Wally pulled out a snack.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Shine remarked. "Always hungry."

"Who knows? Maybe she'll develop powers yet." Hank adjusted his tie. "Anything is possible."

"I really don't care one way or the other," Shine said. "Sometimes I forget who had powers and who doesn't now, at the Center. There's so many of us now."

"It's very fortunate the trouble died out from those mutant terrorists," Storm remarked. "I really thought they were going to get us shut down...but then I knew we could rely on the X-men to help us clear our name."

"That's why we're here," Jean said.

"That reminds me, have you heard from Frost recently?" Raven asked Shine.

"Yes, she's pretty methodical. You?" Shine replied.

"Yeah, just a few days ago. Said she might visit here."

"Well, their last visit was two years ago now," Shine mused. "I thought they should. I miss them, sometimes. We just had a visit from some other friends, for Gracie's birthday. They brought some of their kids too... We might take her on our next check-in visit, now that she's 5. That's about the age I'd think anyone could handle it."

"You'd be comfortable taking a kid on these missions?" Raven said.

"A check-in one, sure, not very dangerous," Shine said. "I mean, just as dangerous as anywhere else. Not a new one, though--that'd be very hard on all of us. But we've only had a few of those, you know. I mean, they usually only happen every few years anyway... Perhaps someday we'll retire anyway."

"You'd want to?" Morph said.

"I think everyone does sooner or later," Shine said.

"No one's going to pay attention, are they?" Scott said to Jean wearily.

"Well, the speech is almost over anyway, Dear," Jean said comfortingly. "And we've not had a chance to catch up in a long time."

Scott resigned himself to it...which showed how far he'd come in recent years.

"We're having a party ta celebrate proper later," Gambit said. "Even though de kids are goin' out on deir own. Y'all coming?"

"Oh, sure, I wouldn't miss it," Morph said.

"If I have to," Raven said.

"Ya don't have to," Rogue said.

"Correction: If my other option is sitting at home alone, feeling guilty for being a buzzkill and not going," Raven said drolly.

"I suppose there'll be a lot of reminiscing," Shine remarked wistfully. "There always is at these events. Has it really been 6 years already?"

"Best 6 years ever," Wally said.

"Even when that volcano exploded and we had to rush people out of there?" Rogue said.

"Well, we did, didn't we?" Wally said. "And we made it home in time for dinner--the next day."

"I reckon it's been pretty good," Rogue admitted.

Gambit squeezed her hand. "Been a good run, Chere."

"I prefer to look ahead," Storm mused. "Things keep moving forward--isn't that what you always say, Shine?"

"Is it?" Shine said. "I always say a lot of things."

"I think we all remember that one," Logan said.

* * *

Location: X-Mansion

Event: Storm's Birthday Party.

A week later, Storm had her self appointed birthday roll around.

They had a moderate party for her, since they had everyone home at the time.

And this was the day that Emma and Scott were able to visit.

They came out of the portal with more grace this time.

"Emma!" Kitty cheered and ran at her, then flashed her diploma in her face. "College grad at 20! How you like that?"

Emma leaned away. "Well, I'm happy for you, but I'd me happier if you didn't shove things in my face."

"What age did you graduate?" Kitty asked her smugly.

Emma frowned at her. "Oh, it was so long ago, who cares now?" she deflected. "But congratulations are in order. I suppose law school comes next?"

"Well, we need more mutant lawyers, right?" Kitty said. "And my parents say I'm born for it...but maybe I'll branch out too, you know?"

"Kitty is highly educated person now," Colossus said proudly. "I never planned to go to college, just Trade School."

"I notice your English is better," Emma noted. "I suppose after so many years it would be."

"Da, very good now," Colossus said. "When I focus on it. Illy's is better."

"Hey, Cyclops from other universe, look alive." Illyana suddenly pounced on Scott without warning, coming out of a portal.

Scott yelped and fell over. Then he turned with his hand to his visor, and then stopped. "Illyana! I could have blasted you."

"I could take it!" Illyana had her armor on. "Hit me, I dare you!"

"Illy! What did we talk about with challenging new guests?" Colossus reminded her.

"Ugh...that we should be boring and polite?" Illyana put her sword away. "Whatever."

"Well, look who's back." Raven came in the kitchen doorway to regard Emma critically. "And still intact, I see. I hate to say it, Frost, but you've hardly aged a day in five years."

"It's only been three years for us," Emma corrected her. "So I suppose I needn't return the compliment...not that you age anyway. One of the many unfair things about your power."

"Unfair, sure," Raven said.

Then they hugged anyway.

"You would not believe how nice it is to be away from the Institute's problems for a bit," Emma said.

"Like you don't love it," Raven said skeptically.

"Oh, I suppose," Emma said.

"Emma!" Shine charged into the room and grabbed her in a fast hug.

"There, there, really, it's not like anything dreadful has happened." Emma looked uncomfortable.

Alt Scott found this funny. "I guess some things never change," he said.

"Bring it in, Scottie." Shine held out her hand.

Alt Scott came in. "It's good to see you all again."

"Leech here too," Leech startled them.

"Oh, is he still living here?" Emma said.

"Most of them are," Shine said. "Cindy and Ruthie also. Be old enough to teach the new students soon."

"Oh, yes, you have new students," Emma reflected.

"And I hear you have plenty also," Raven said drolly.

"Ah, well, a fair amount," Emma said modestly--she looked smug behind it though.

"Tell us all about it." Shine pushed her to a chair. "Oh, but hang on, there's someone you should meet. Honey!"

"Coming." Wally came in, carrying their toddler over his shoulder.

Gracie followed him, tugging along one of her stuffed animal toys.

"Wow, she's grown." Alt Scott was surprised.

Gracie eyed him--she wasn't a shy kid, like both of her parents. She seemed to be trying to remember where she knew him from.

"Cyclops?" she said questioningly.

"This is Uncle Scottie," Wally said. "Remember?"

Gracie shook her head.

"Well, she was three," Emma said. She smiled at her.

"Mommy, who's the pretty lady and the guy with funny glasses?" Gracie asked Shine, in a too loud whisper.

"This is Emma, Sweetie." Shine picked her up. "She's an old friend."

"All right, let me see it." Raven grabbed Emma's left hand and examined it. "Well, not too bad, Scottie. So, set a date yet?"

"Uh...still working that out," Alt Scott said. "Between crises, mostly."

"Ooh, how did he do it?" Kitty asked, excitedly. "Tell us the whole story."

"Want some tea?" Wally said. "Because I think there's some on the stove."

"Yes, thanks. And where is the person of honor?"

"Late," Shine said. "Probably because of the baby, you know... And Logan is usually late anyway."

Time passed quickly, with all the catching up they had to do.

Kurt poofed in, startling them, to say hello.

"Guess who's ordained now?" Wally bragged on him.

Kurt bowed his head modestly. "Is a great honor."

"I heard about it, but congratulations in person," Emma said. "I suppose you couldn't resist bragging." With a look at Raven.

Raven pretended to be absorbed in her tea.

"So, wait, do I have to call you Father now?" Morph asked him. "Because that's just going to be weird."

"Not if you don't vant to," Kurt said.

"So who is this little fellow?" Emma was holding the toddler West now.

"John Bruce," Shine said. "But we call him Jack. Paying homage to both Wally's best friends and my mentor."

"He looks just like you," Alt Scott noted.

"Well, he's got those good genes," Shine said.

"Have you considered what it would be like if they turn out to be mutants?" Emma inquired.

"Not much different from how it is now," Shine said. "Just with more collateral damage, I suppose...to furniture....but with kids, anyway, what do you expect?"

"Not an attitude that would fly at my home," Emma mused.

"Do you still live at the Institute?" Shine asked.

"For now, we really have to. We're running the X-men now," Emma said.

"So your Wolverine finally gave in?" Kurt noted.

"It didn't really take much," Emma said. "He was never a great fit. He turned it over to Scott some time ago now. No one complained."

"Not even me?" Raven said, smirking.

"If anything I believe she saw it as an improvement," Emma said. "She and 'James' have such a strange relationship. I imagine taking orders from him didn't help."

"But they've made peace, right?" Shine said.

"I don't know that they were ever really at odds," Emma said. "They seem to be getting along all right."

"How about her and Nightcrawler?" Kurt asked.

Emma gestured. "Depends on the day, really.... Not sure it'll ever be like you. Either I'm an inferior instructor, or people are just different."

"Both probably," Raven said.

Emma shot her a look.

"You have to account for the difference the grace of God made for Kurt long before we came," Shine said.

"Yes...so it would seem." Emma sipped her tea.

"Real question: Will you ever lose the white?" Kitty asked.

"That's a real question?" Emma replied drolly.

"That's a no," Kitty said.

"Well, land sakes." Rogue flew in. "No one told us you were here now. How are y'all?"

And they started all over.

Finally Storm and Logan arrived, child in tow.

The party began for real.

Mostly people were just celebrating.

At one point, Emma and Shine sat aside, though, and had a candid conversation, as they were wont.

"Tell me honestly," Emma said, "do you think the future is going to be brighter now? Have we succeeded?"

"Emma, look at it objectively." Shine held up her hands. "I've tried not to ask myself that question. Because every minute we're living out the future from back then. In 5 years, I see no impending doom, but there's 45 to go. If I live that long, I'll tell you."

"But patterns, are they changing?" Emma asked.

"Probably, but the future isn't guaranteed to be brighter just because the disaster we saw may be prevented," Shine said. "The truth is, Emma, it's out of our control. We're just making sure we don't make the same errors. We've talked about that before."

"Yes, I know." Emma pursed her lips. "I wish I could measure progress, then."

"I'll help you." Shine put her chin in her hands. "Would you say you've seen your team get closer together over the last 3 years?"

"I'd say we're functioning more smoothly," Emma said.

"Do they deal with the personal problems better? Some of them, anyway."

"I think so... I think Warren and Logan especially have made some strides," Emma said.

"Do you have new members who seem happy?" Shine asked.

"Yes, Colossus finally came back. Cristy Nord even joined us," Emma said.

"And do you have human allies?" Shine asked.

"A few," Emma said. "The MRD was drastically cut in funding just a year after we got back. Fortunately the new President is more lax towards mutants. Mostly us non-violent ones are being left alone for now. So a few human allies have been possible."

"Then, to me, that's progress," Shine said. "Person by person, Emma, that's all it ever is. For three years, that's good. I look forward to hearing what's happened again the next time we visit."

"Compared to here, it seems small," Emma said.

"We had a head start and less opposition to begin with. It's not fair to compare," Shine said. "You're doing good, Emma. Trust me."

Emma nodded.

[End of Epilogue 1.

Yes, there's more, just a tiny bit more.]