"Nope. No one's here."

Charles rubbed his forehead and rested his hand on his chin. Peter tried to say something else, but the signal came through garbled, and Charles saw Erik rub his jaw in the early stages of concern. Next to him, Moira reached out with one of her hands, trying to readjust the dial to make the sound flow more smoothly.

The other hand rested on her belly, swollen with her pregnancy, now nearing its thirtieth week. Her wedding band and engagement ring, had recently moved to a chain around her throat when her fingers swelled.

Every so often, he found himself staring at them.

"-and I said that if you don't like root beer, then you can't have root beer floats, and what is the purpose of anything if you can't have those? Granted, he liked twinkies-"

"Chuck, where's this kid's off-switch?"

Logan's voice came through dry and irritated. Kurt chuckled next to him, but winced after a few seconds and held his still healing abdomen. Next to him Raven put a restraining hand on his arm, and he slumped, frowning.

"He doesn't have one," Erik said drily, "Quicksilver, back to the part where you said the Muir Island facility is totally abandoned."

"Right," Peter said.

"So, I was looking in there, top to bottom, and Wolvie was making sure no one was on the perimeter, but it looks like everyone's gone," said Peter, "And it hasn't been this bad since that time we checked in after Moira's kidnapping."

Ever since Moira was recovered, they'd been doing spot checks of the Muir Island facility. Given the events of a few months ago, they'd since stepped up their efforts. When Peter had gone in to check with Logan as back up, he'd radioed in only after a few minutes.

It was a major change, and those never sat well when it came to Essex.

"How bad was that exactly?" asked Erik.

"They had like 20 guys visible," Peter said, "But I think most of that was to clean up the snow Storm dumped on 'em."

"And no one's visible now?" asked Charles.

"Nope," Peter replied, "And then, just to make sure, I ran around inside the facility a couple of times. No one, and they even took the soda out of the fridge."

Charles rubbed his forehead, and he saw Moira just shake her head.

"Peter, you weren't supposed to go inside," she said, "What if you'd tripped an alarm?"

"Much as I hate to encourage this kid, I cut the power first," Logan said, his voice grudging.

"Yeah, so totally safe," Peter said, "And, do you know what else really gets to me? There wasn't even toilet paper in the bathroom! Who does that?"

"You wanted to use their bathroom?" asked Raven.

"Not after I saw there wasn't any toilet paper," said Peter, "Keep up. But anyway, it was cleared out."

"Yes, I understand. But Logan reported at least fifteen there last night," Charles said.

"Perhaps he can't count," Erik said.

Peter laughed, but Charles could hear the labored breath on the other end that signaled Logan's irritation.

"I missed breakfast with Laura for this shit?" he said.

Charles and Erik exchanged a look. The number of fires they had to put out when it came to Logan seemed to triple with every day they spent without finding Kayla. While Charles could understand his frustration, it could still get taxing.

"Now, we're going to all take it slow," said Charles, "What we have is one empty facility that was moved very quickly. Kurt, do you think teleportation of that scale, supplies included, is possible?"

Kurt looked thoughtful, leaning back in his chair and resting both his hands on his still-healing stomach. Raven frowned and moved his hands so he wasn't putting any pressure on it. He made a face, but the corner of his lips turned up slightly.

"Ja," he said at last, "But not too far, maybe a few miles, but zey vould haf to stop for breaks. Zen again, ze man, Wraith I zink? Ja. He vas very gut at quick teleportations."

"I really hate that guy," said Peter, "Next time, I won't get shot, and he and Mr. Shooty won't get away."

"Mr. Shooty," Logan snorted, "We know their names."

"He has a stupid name. I like mine better."

"Any clues as to where they were headed?" asked Charles.

"Lemme look again."

"Quicksilver-" Charles tried.

There was another woosh, and he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You'd think he didn't learn anything from getting shot," Erik said.

As much as it pained him to say, he had to admit Erik had a point. Even after his injury, Peter's recklessness had still seemed particularly glaring. Trying to slow Peter down after he'd gotten an idea in his head was the equivalent of trying to put a square peg in a round hole: it never quite fit.

Much like it hadn't with Erik. His friend, to the best of his knowledge, still had no idea. He'd have to have a quiet word with Peter. It might be awkward, since he didn't know Charles knew, but they would have to find a way around it.

Erik was already starting to get the idea that, for whatever reason, Peter was interested in getting guidance from him, or at least talking with him. It had resulted in a sense of concern from him, but he wouldn't appreciate having a secret of this magnitude kept for this much longer.

"So, I saw a form on one of those computers that mentioned the Yashida Corporation," Peter said, "Sounds Japanese."

Memories, born from the documents Charles head salvaged from Kayla's mind, surfaced.

"It is," said Charles, "It's a technology company located in Japan."

"They work with Essex?" asked Logan.

"Yes," said Charles, "Mostly they buy parts from them, so I hadn't thought too much about it, but..."

He made a note to investigate it. It was likely they would have to go over there, resulting in another multi-country trip. He'd have to be careful though. Many of the teachers were already noticing how much time most of the children were spending out of class for one reason or another. It was why the rest of the X-men weren't there now.

However, he looked down at his watch. He'd have to figure it out later.

"Quicksilver, bring Wolverine back," said Charles, "We'll discuss the next step later."

"Sir yes sir!"

He rolled his eyes, but waited until Moira gave the sign they'd passed within school grounds before he got up.

"You're in a hurry today," Erik remarked.

"Kevin's birthday party is in an hour," said Charles, "We haven't even put the streamers up and there is a distinct lack of balloons."

Erik shrugged as Moira got up. She wobbled as she did so, one hand on her head. Charles rushed over, but Raven had already lent a steadying hand. She gave Charles a smile before placing on hand on her forehead.

"Headache love?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said, "I should be fine though."

He looked at her, troubled. Lately her headaches were more like migraines.

"Moira, how about you go rest up before the party?" he asked.

"You don't need to mother hen me all the time," Moira said, "I've done this before you know."

"Yes, so you know how much headaches can hurt if you let them get out of hand," said Raven, "Go on. I'll help him with the decorations. He's kind of hopeless by himself you know."

Moira ran a hand through her hair.

"That I do know," she said, "Fine, fine."

Charles sighed.

"While I'm glad you're doing as I asked, I am a little put out by the justification," he said.

"What, do you need me with you?" asked Moira, amused.

"No, no. Don't worry," he assured her, "We'll get everything ready. I'll call you when the first guests start arriving."

"The first guests? They all live here," said Moira, "It's not like they're going to be late."

Emma finished brushing Laura's hair, letting the waves and curls it naturally fell into rest against her back. Laura picked up a strand and began pulling it around her finger before Emma took it and twisted it into a ponytail.

"I think I like this better than braids," Laura said.

"Good," said Emma, "I think it shows off your hair better, and it doesn't get in the way of your face."

She turned her around, and Laura felt her aunt's appraising eyes on her. As always, Emma smiled at the end.

"There, you're all ready for the party," Emma said, "You're quite lovely, as always."

"Can I have lip pick?" asked Laura.

"Lip stick, and no you can't," said Emma, "That's for older girls."

"Xi'an wears it sometimes," Laura said.

"She does," Megan piped up.

Her aunt rolled her eyes.

"I don't care what Xi'an does, I care what you do," said Emma, "And I say you're too young. And don't ask for eyeshadow or mascara either, because it's the same thing."

Laura shrugged and looked at herself in the mirror again. She was in her best dress, purple with a pie collar. It was similar to her old favorite pink dress, but when Laura had realized the rust stain was on the white collar was Essex's blood, she realized she didn't want to wear it anymore.

Her best shoes had been ruined in the woods, and she had new black ones. She clicked them together once before lacing her fingers together and smiling.

"Thank you for getting me ready Aunt Emma," she said, "Can I go to the party now?"

"It's not for another hour or so," said Emma, "You'll have to wait for a bit."

Laura jumped from one foot to the other, feeling anxious. Her eyes trailed over to the present she'd wrapped that morning. She'd actually had to rewrap it because her aunt said she used too much sticky tape. Laura didn't see how that was her fault though: once it touched the paper it hadn't wanted to come off.

She picked it up and then, as an after thought, picked up Peter Pan. She'd completed it months ago for her book report, but had kept it close after that. Every few nights she would reread it, make sure she hadn't missed anything.

However, it was coming up on its due date. If she didn't restamp it after checking to see if anyone had a reservation, she could get in trouble.

"Do you mind if I go to the library and wait?" asked Laura.

Emma frowned, having put down the brush and picked up her calculus book.

"You'd be all alone," she said, "The party won't start early just because you go downstairs."

"I know," said Laura, "But I need to renew this, and I don't wanna wait."

Her aunt's frown deepened, and Laura tried her sweetest smile.

"Please?" she asked, "It's my first birthday party: I won't want to miss it. I'll be fine."

Emma sighed, but smiled.

"Alright," she said.

Laura grinned and scurried off, the gift and her book in hand. She moved across the carpeted rooms with her head held high, her ponytail bouncing behind her. A few of the older kids nodded at her, or didn't pay her attention. Laura liked that, not being remarked on or too noticed. She was fitting in. She was supposed to be here.

Skipping down the stairs, she hurried into the library. Laura put Kevin's gift on one of the tables and then looked at the ledger. No one wanted her book. She smiled and restamped it before hugging it tightly to her chest.

"Hey kid."

She started, and then turned around. Her father was in the doorway, giving her that same lazy smile she'd come to associate with him. She tossed the book on a table and ran toward him. He raised his eyebrows, but still bent down to pick her up.

He kissed her head, then shifted her weight. She let go slightly so she could look at him, but still kept her hands clutching his shirt for balance.

"Whatcha up to?" he asked.

"Just renewing my book," she said, "And I have Kevin's gift for later today."

"Oh, right," he said, "Chuck's munchkin has a birthday."

She laughed, because she'd just figured out what a munchkin was a few weeks ago. The Wizard of Oz had been a good book. Her father was very funny, and she thought she was finally understanding what Kevin had meant about the tone making things have different meanings.

"So, what did you get him?" he asked.

"Books by Jane Austen," Laura said proudly, "A collection."

Her father made a face.

"Those are girls' books," he said.

"Are not," said Laura, "I've seen Kevin read them."

"I mean...never mind," said her father.

He shifted her again, and she smiled at him.

"Where were you this morning?" she said, "I didn't see you at breakfast, and that means I haven't seen you all day."

"I was out," he said.

The final word was said strangely, and she pursed her lips in thought.

"Were you looking for mommy?"

He paused, and she saw him chew on his cheek. Laura had the feeling she'd done something wrong, but she couldn't see how.

"Yeah," he said, "Yeah."

Another thought occurred to her, and she smiled.

"Didja find her?"

"No."

The word was sudden, borderline sharp. Laura shrank back in his arms, the image of the beautiful woman they'd seen in the woods flooding her head. Laura hadn't really known she was her mother when she'd seen her, and every day she could tell the memory was getting fainter.

It felt like she was losing.

"Hey, hey," her father said, chuffing her chin, "I'm not gonna give up. And she won't either. You know she wants to get back ta us, how much she loves ya, right?"

"Of course I know," Laura said.

Her father looked at her, and she saw that strange, uncertain look he often got around her. It worried her, because Emma hadn't done that. Emma had always looked at her confidently, except that night when her hands and feet bled. But her father, he seemed very concerned sometimes.

She frowned thoughtfully, then smiled as she looked at the book on the table.

"There's this part, in this book," she said, "I think I'll get it right, but maybe not. It says there's a place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming."

He held her tighter. Did he understand?

"And that's where I think she is right now, because she's out there, but I can't touch her, and she can't come here, even if she wants to," she said, "Not yet. The spirit world, right? But it's where she loves me, and where I can really feel it."

Her father cleared his throat and, briefly, looked away.

"Right," he said, "Right. That's...that's right."

He swallowed one more time, and shifted her weight again. His eyes shined for a minute, and Laura pulled at her sleeve, getting ready to wipe away any errant tears. She'd be crying about her mother too if he'd given her too many details. At the moment all she'd done was talk about feeling loved. No matter the circumstances, that was a happy thought, not a sad one.

"So, when's the party?" he said.

"An hour or so," replied Laura.

"And you're all ready?"

"Yep!"

Her father cocked his head, thoughtful.

"Hey, ya wanna go out for a little bit?" he asked, "I'll have ya back in time."

"I dunno," she said, "I think Emma thinks I'll be here."

"It'll be fast," said her father.

She gave another uncertain frown, and he chuckled.

"Alright, going for the hard sell," he said, "Wanna ride on the motorcycle?"

Her eyes lit up.

"Yes!"

A/N: And I'm back! A special thanks to all of my returning readers, and welcome to all the first-timers!