Angels

*New York, December 23, 2007*

The air over New York City was cool and crisp as night fell over the city. A blanket of snow had coated all of New York, including the stately Worthington Towers, where the heir to the Worthington estate dwells.

Warren Worthington III looked out over New York, taking a deep breath, as he prepared himself for what he was about to do. Warren was 20 years old, tall, and of athletic build, with short blond hair and green eyes, clad in his simple blue bathrobe...which he then shed, revealing the red-and-black bodysuit – of his own design – underneath it...and the pair of large, white, feathered, almost angelic wings growing from his back.

He'd had these wings for as long as he could remember; they'd grown, slowly but steadily over his childhood. At first, he'd been terrified by them...

...until he'd flown for the first time.

Suddenly, Warren's cell-phone rang, and Warren picked it up. "Hello?"

"*Hi, baby.*"

Warren smiled.

"Hi, Melinda." He said to his beloved fiancee. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"*I'm fine.*" Melinda cooed over the phone. "*Are we still on for Christmas Eve?*"

Warren grinned.

"Wouldn't miss it." He assured her.

"*That's good.*" Melinda said. "*Anyway, you'll be careful tonight, right?*"

Warren smiled; Melinda was the only person – other than his parents – who knew his secret...and unlike *them*, she *liked* it.

"I will, baby." He promised. "I'll see you, tomorrow."

"*Okay, Warren. I love you.*"

"I love you, too, Melinda. Bye." Warren said, as he hung up.

Warren then pulled on the cowl of his new uniform, covering the upper part of his face, before he walked towards the open balcony. He smiled as he felt the pleasant sensation of his wings catching the breeze.

'*I can do this...*' He thought.

Warren leapt out into the open air, going into a dive, and then spreading his wings, pulling up, flapping his wings, flying into the city, searching for people who might need help. Then, as he passed by the Statue of Liberty, he spotted a family up on top of its torch...whose daughter was hanging dangerously over the railing, her curiosity getting the better of her. Then, to both Warren and the family's horror, the little girl fell over the railing.

Warren dove after the little girl, catching her before she hit the ground, and landing gracefully, far from prying eyes. As the child looked up at him in awe, Warren just smiled kindly, and put his fingers to his lips, in a shushing gesture, before flying off, smiling to himself, glad that he'd been able to help.

'*Maybe this is how Superman feels, if he exists.*' Warren silently mused, as he flew on, to see if he could help elsewhere.

*Xavier Institute, December 24*

The Institute was bustling with activity on the morning before Christmas Eve, as the remaining students made preparations to leave. Clark had just returned from his morning patrol, back in his street clothes, and had called his Ma, to make sure everything was okay.

"Ali and I were going to head out to the farm this evening, Ma." Clark said over his cell-phone, as he walked down the stairs into the living room. "You're sure you don't need any help getting ready? We could always head out there a little earlier..."

"*Oh, don't trouble yourselves, Clark!*" Martha replied over the phone. "*I can manage things here, so you don't need to rush! You and Alison just head out when you can!*" His Ma sighed. "*It'll be so nice to have you and Alison here for the holidays; my boy and his special lady...*" She suppressed a sniffle, "*...I can't believe it: my boy's all grown up!*"

Clark smiled.

"*Ma*..." He said.

"*I know, I know.*" Martha said. "*Is Alison's family coming out here, too?*"

"Alison said that her Aunt Bridget, Uncle Mike, and cousin Jenny were coming." Clark replied. "She was going to try her Dad...but she said that she didn't have much hope."

"*Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.*" Martha said. Suddenly, Clark heard her erupt into a fit of coughing.

Clark grimaced. "That's a nasty cough, there, Ma. Are you okay?"

"*Oh, yes, I'm fine, honey. Just a little flu that I picked up, that's all.*"

"Okay, Ma." Clark said. "I'd better go check with Ali and make sure everything's taken care of. We'll see you, tonight."

"*I look forward to it, Clark. I love you!*"

Clark smiled. "I love you, too, Ma. See you soon!" Then, he hung up.

He and Ali were going to spend Christmas at the Kent farm; Clark didn't think he could be happier.

Thoughts of Alison brought a smile to his face, as they normally did. This time, however, Clark had started to wonder.

'*Do I...love her?*'

The instant that question popped into his brain, Clark knew that the answer was *yes*. The closer they grew, the more Clark realized that he didn't want to be without her, *ever*. She lifted his spirit, made his heart feel glad.

He loved her. He *had* to tell her...and tomorrow was the perfect time to do so...and he knew *just* how to tell her...

By then, Kurt, Kitty, Lance, Evan, and Ororo had gathered in the living room, each carrying suitcases. Clark smiled at his friends. "All ready to go?" he inquired.

Ororo smiled back. "We hope so." she replied. "I don't think Logan will turn the Blackbird around if we've forgotten anything!"

Clark grinned, turning to Kurt. "So, Little Blue, are you going to call that girl Amanda over the holidays?"

Kurt smiled nervously.

"Ach...I don't know..." He said.

Evan chuckled. "Why not, Kurt? You like her don't you?"

"Vell...ja." Kurt agreed. "But...vat if she doesn't like me?"

Kitty laughed. "Kurt, she's only been making eyes at you ever chance she gets! And *that* was *before* she became your lab partner!" she exclaimed. "Do you need an *engraved invitation*, you fuzzy goof?"

"Yeah, man; go for it!" Lance added.

"Vell...okay! I'll do it!" Kurt declared.

At that moment, Logan and Professor Xavier came into the room. "So, everyone set to go?" Logan asked, and the others nodded. To the Professor, he added, "Well, Chuck, looks like it'll just be you, Hank, Stripes, and Gumbo around here, for a while."

The Professor chuckled. "Well, as nice as it is to have a large family, a little quiet is fine."

Clark grinned. "So, Logan, what're you up to for the holidays?"

Logan shrugged. "Not much. I'll probably take my bike out for a spin, then play some pool with Steve...the usual."

Clark smiled at the mention of his childhood hero, and Logan's old war-pal. "Well, be sure to tell Cap I said hi."

"No problem, Flyboy." Logan agreed, smiling his wry half-smile. Then, he and the others headed to the vehicle hangar elevator, as Professor Xavier rolled off. Clark then headed back upstairs, to see how Alison was doing.

In her room, Alison, in her pink tank-top and blue jeans, had just gotten off the phone with Aunt Bridget; her Aunt, Uncle, and cousin Jenny were taking the evening flight out to Smallville as planned. Alison then logged onto MSN, checking to see if her father had replied to her e-mails...and sighed as she saw no reply e-mails.

He hadn't forgiven her for leaving.

*Lila-Singer has signed in.*

Alison smiled as she saw her friend log in; she hadn't been talking to Lila for quite a while, since she'd been too busy with either school, concerts, recordings, or training. She quickly sent an Instant Message.

*Care-Blaire says: Hey, girl!*

*Lila-Singer says: Hi!*

*Lila-Singer says: Where were yu?*

*Care-Blaire says: Busy. I have tons of stuff to do at the Institute...sometimes too much. lol*

*Lila-Singer says: How's it going up there?*

*Care-Blaire says: Busy, but good.*

*Care-Blaire says: Hey, do yu remember I once told yu about that boy I had a crush on as a kid?*

*Lila-Singer says: Yeah.*

*Care-Blaire says: HE'S HERE!*

*Lila-Singer says: OMG you're KIDDING!*

*Care-Blaire says: And that's not the best part!*

*Care-Blaire says: We're dating!*

*Lila-Singer says: OMG!*

*Care-Blaire says: I know!*

*Lila-Singer says: Tell me about him.*

Alison blushed, sighing dreamily to herself, as she tried to summarize all the innumerable wonderful qualities of her boyfriend...the man of her dreams, formed from her childhood crush. Only one word could describe him.

*Perfect.*

*Care-Blaire says: He's PERFECT.*

*Lila-Singer says: I need DETAILS, girl...*

*Care-Blaire says: He has the manners of a perfect gentleman, the mind of a genius, the heart of a dreamer, and the soul of a chivalrous knight; he's caring, witty, tender...and a PHENOMENAL kisser.*

*Lila-Singer says: Is he a hottie?*

*Care-Blaire says: TOTAL hottie. As in, "Greek GOD" hottie.*

*Lila-Singer says: Cute butt?*

*Care-Blaire says: None better.*

*Lila-Singer says: Hot pecs?*

*Care-Blaire says: Drool-worthy.*

*Lila-Singer says: Six-pack?*

*Care-Blaire says: EIGHT-pack.*

*Lila-Singer says: Girl...MARRY that man!*

*Care-Blaire says: lol Don't think I haven't thought about it...*

*Lila-Singer says: Yu haven't done it, yet, though, have yu?*

*Care-Blaire says: No, not yet. I'm not ready.*

*Care-Blaire says: But when I am, I want my first – and ONLY – to be with him.*

*Care-Blaire says: I think he's 'the one.'*

*Lila-Singer says: I'm so happy for yu!*

*Care-Blaire says: Thanks!*

*Care-Blaire says: Gotta go; last-minute shopping, and then we're going out to visit his mom.*

*Lila-Singer says: Ok. Merry Christmas!*

*Care-Blaire says: Merry Christmas!*

*Lila-Singer has signed out.*

Signing out from MSN, Alison smiled to herself. She'd thought about it...and now she was sure.

'*I think I love him...I love Clark.*'

Alison's smile grew at her revelation; her childhood crush had grown into true love, the purest emotion of *all*.

She loved him.

Alison's smile became shy. '*When will I tell him?*' she thought. Her smile grew. '*Tomorrow, on Christmas morning; when I give him my present, I'll tell him.*'

Thoughts of their trip brought Alison back to what she'd wanted to do...causing her to sigh sadly at how her father hadn't replied. Spying her phone, she knew she had to try. She picked it up...and dialed the number.

"*Carter Blaire, Blaire and Walters Law Firm.*"

Alison took a deep breath. "Hi...Dad."

There was silence for a few long seconds. "*Who is this?!*" Carter demanded.

Alison closed her eyes, keeping the hurt out of her voice. "It's Alison, Dad."

Carter calmed somewhat.

"*Oh.*" He said neutrally. "*It's...nice to hear from you.*"

Alison lightly smiled; maybe there was hope, after all. "Did...you get my e-mail?"

She could hear the frown in her father's voice.

"*Yes, I did.*" He said. "*I'm afraid I can't come.*"

Alison's smile faded. "Why not?"

"*I have important business to attend to.*"

Alison frowned. "More important than spending Christmas with your daughter?"

"*I have an important case to work on, Alison; perhaps the most important one of my career.*" Carter answered, his voice edged with disdain. "*That might not mean much to you, but it means a lot to me.*"

Alison suppressed a sob at the shot. "So you can't spare a single day, not even *Christmas* Day?" she retorted.

"*Why are you pestering me about this?*" Carter snapped.

"Well, *excuse* me for wanting to see my father for Christmas!" Alison shouted.

"*I thought you'd made it clear that you didn't **want** to see me at all, young lady.*" Carter said. "*I'm not the one who left.*"

"You didn't give me any *choice*, Dad!" Alison yelled, her eyes starting to water. "My *dream* was to be a singer, and I wasn't *about* to miss my chance! *God*, what is your damage?! You've hated music ever since Mom..!"

"*I **don't** want to talk about your mother!*"

"Oh, *right!*" Alison yelled, tears flowing from her eyes. "I forgot! We're not *allowed* to talk about Mom any more, *are* we?!"

"*Your mother **left** us, Alison, in case you've forgotten.*" Carter snarled. "*And so did **you**.*"

Alison fought her tears. "I *haven't* forgotten, Dad! The problem is that *you* just can't get over it!"

"*Do **not** talk to me that way, young lady!*" Carter roared. "*If you want to throw your life away, that's **your** decision, but I will **not** be a part of it! And that's my last word on the matter!*" With that, he hung up.

Alison simply put the phone back on its charger...before sitting down on her bed, bursting into tears. Every single time she tried to talk to her father, they always fought, and always about the same thing. **'It's as if he** hates' *me.*' Alison thought miserably, burying her head in her hands, continuing to sob.

"Ali?"

Alison, still in tears, managed to look up to see Clark walk in, a worried expression on his face.

"Baby, what's wrong?" He asked, sitting next to her and enfolding her in a comforting hug.

Alison sobbed into his wonderfully warm shoulder, her hands resting on his chest.

"My father isn't coming." She whimpered. "He...he still *hates* me..."

"Oh, I'm *sure* he doesn't hate you, Ali." Clark soothed, holding her close.

"Well, he sure fooled *me!*" Alison cried, a fresh wave of sobs bursting free. "Ever since I started my career, he's been this way, because he can't get over Mom! He thinks I'm 'throwing my life away,' so he doesn't want anything to *do* with me!"

Clark placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "Well, then, it's *his* loss, Alison." he whispered. "You are a kind, sweet, funny, intelligent, talented, charming, beautiful, *wonderful* young woman. Your father *should* be *proud* of you, to have such a special young woman as his daughter."

Alison lightly smiled, her tears subsiding.

"You...really mean that?" She whispered.

Clark smiled. "Every word."

Alison's smile grew.

"Oh, *thank* you, Clarkie." She cooed, hugging him. "You have no *idea* how much I needed that." She looked into his eyes – those unearthly sky-blue eyes, bluer than any eyes born on Earth, eyes that could look into her *soul*, and turn her to *mush*, and made her feel so special, and so very loved – and smiled. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Clark's smile grew. "Likewise, Ali." he whispered, pulling her close, and lovingly snaring her lips in a kiss.

Alison sighed happily, as she passionately reciprocated; she'd told Lila the *truth* – Clark was an *amazing* kisser. His kisses were never forceful, always tender, and they always felt *right*, as if there was nothing more natural than his lips upon hers.

And, not for the first time, there was a tiny, naughty little part of Alison that wanted to rip the clothes off of him and throw him on the bed, and have him do the same to *her*...

Alison managed to keep that naughty little part of her psyche under control until the kiss ended, and it became dormant, again. She smiled at her boyfriend.

"You're right." She cooed. "If Carter Blaire doesn't want to spend Christmas with his daughter, it's *his* loss!"

Clark grinned. "That's the spirit, Ali!"

Alison's smile became guilty. "Clarkie?" she cooed. "I know it's a bit late, but could you come with me for some last-minute shopping? I still have to pick up Jenny's gift; it only just came in today!"

Clark smiled. "*Sure*, Ali."

"Thanks! You're the *best!*" Alison cooed, hugging him. "I think Scott and Jean are doing some shopping, today, too, so we can get a ride into the city with them."

"Sounds good." Clark agreed. "Well, let's get going!"

"Right!" Alison said, and she and Clark promptly got up, and headed downstairs, to find Scott and Jean.

*Undisclosed location*

In one of his father's many secret hideouts, Pietro, in uniform, scowled to himself as he watched the news. '*Terrific.*' he thought. **First Super-Dork shows up, and now there's some loon with angel-wings flying around. The whole** planet's' *gone nuts.*'

Recently, his father had discovered that Super-Dork's home planet had gone kaput; Mr. 'Save-the-Day' was the only one of his kind left.

'*Fine by me.*' Pietro thought. '*Having just **one'*** **of him around is bad enough. Good** riddance**.*' Pietro smiled to himself, as he remembered overhearing that guy Doom mention how Super-Dork had gotten* steamed *at the mention of his world.*** *Finally, something I can hit him with!*'

Pietro then saw his father walk into the room, in his armor, followed by someone that gave Pietro the creeps...

Victor "Sabretooth" Creed.

Creed was one scary-looking dude; tall, built like an ox – and likely as sharp as one – with long, wild, unkempt sandy hair, savage dark eyes, and gi-normous canine teeth, practically *fangs.* He was in his usual brown trench-coat under his brown leather vest and pants. Creed had the same kind of healing factor and heightened senses that Wolverine had, but he had super-strength instead of razor-sharp claws.

Creed hated Super-Dork just as much as Pietro did.

Magneto glanced to the news about the "angel" sighting.

"So, another one of our people falls prey to idealism." He said. "I suppose we cannot blame him; even Kal-El is guilty of that." He smiled wryly. "The last of a doomed race will be the one to save *ours*...how tragically fitting."

Pietro, once again, suppressed his gag-reflex at the semi-reverent tone his father used to talk about that alien loser. It wasn't *fair.*

'*A **mutant** should be leading the mutant race, not that Boy Scout **geek**! It should be **me**!*' He mentally fumed. '***I** should be taking Father's place! Not **him**! Why does **he** get all the glory?! Why does **he** score an ultra-hottie like Alison?!*'

Magneto must have noticed Pietro's expression. "I see that you have yet to get over your dislike of Kal-El, Pietro."

Pietro kept his tone neutral. "It won't affect my loyalty."

Magneto nodded.

"Very well." He said.

Creed growled. "If he still refuses...*then* can I gut him, Mags?"

Magneto chuckled. "I doubt that you would have much luck, Creed, even if I were to agree to such a thing." he said. "We all know how powerful Kal-El is."

That was *another* reason Pietro hated him; he would *never* admit it publicly, but Super-Dork was *way* faster than he would *ever* be. Not only that, he was freakishly strong, utterly invulnerable, and armed with eye-rays, gale-force breath and freezing breath. He could see through *walls*, could pick a single conversation right out of the air...and he could *fly*. He was just on a level that *no-one* could achieve.

And that fact drove Pietro nearly *insane* with rage. The *only* edge they had was the fact that Super-Dork got sick around that "Kryptonite" stuff...but his father didn't have any more; the only piece they had was sent to another universe, last year.

If Super-Dork showed up on their little caper, they were in *trouble*.

"We will have to act quickly once we reach New York." Magneto continued. "We must locate and recruit this 'Angel' before we draw Kal-El's attention."

"Well, what happens if the runt *does* show up?" Sabretooth asked. "As much as I'd *love* to take another crack at him, I'm not anxious to get knocked half-way across the city! You got any more of that green rock?"

Magneto shook his head.

"No, but we will not *need* it." He said. "If Kal-El arrives, we will take advantage of his *other* weakness."

Pietro arched an eyebrow. "And that would be..?"

Magneto smiled knowingly, and he spoke. Pietro was ashamed for not thinking of it, himself.

"He *cares*."

Before too long, Clark, Alison, Scott and Jean were heading into New York City in Scott's car; Scott was driving, with Jean next to him, and Clark and Ali were in the back. Scott wore his brown jacket over his usual clothes, and Jean wore a green blazer over her light blue sweater, with her favorite khaki pants. Clark had simply donned his usual black jacket over his street clothes – the cold never bothered him – and Ali had donned a white winter jacket over her sweater, still in her blue jeans, with a white wool cap around her ears, her silky gold tresses tied in a bun and hidden by her cap. She also wore her dark glasses; she was "incognito."

They had been listening to the radio, which had been talking about sightings of an "angel" in New York. "Hey, Clark, what do you make of these 'angel' sightings?" Scott asked.

Clark shrugged. "Search me. I haven't seen any angels when I'm passing through New York."

"Do you think this guy's for real?" Alison asked.

Clark smiled. "Hey, I'm from another *planet*, so *anything's* possible!" That earned him a delightful giggle from Alison.

"It might be a mutant." Scott mused. "Maybe his mutation caused him to grow wings."

"But wouldn't Cerebro have detected him?" Jean asked.

"Not if his mutation manifested as a child." Clark said. "Cerebro only detects *new* manifestations readily; if he manifested earlier, then Cerebro would have missed him."

"Guys, we're just here to take care of some shopping, okay?" Alison laughed. "We can worry about this 'angel' *later!*"

Clark smiled. "You're right, Ali."

By then, they had reached New York City, and drove into the parking lot of the largest shopping mall in the city. After Scott had managed to find a parking spot, they all got out of the car. "So, Ali, who do you have to shop for?" Jean inquired.

"My little cousin, Jenny; I'm getting her an original Gucci pink mini-purse – Jenny's wanted one, but she kinda figured she'd never get one." Alison said, smiling. "I plan to *really* surprise her."

Jean's eyes widened. "*Wow.* I heard those are *impossible* to get even at the *best* of times."

Alison nodded. "I *know*. Thankfully, I know someone who knows someone; he's managed to get one and is holding it for me. I just have to pick it up."

"A friend of yours?" Clark asked.

Alison nodded. "He used to handle my outfits before concerts, and now he's an expert designer, with his own store." she said. She smiled. "I kinda got his career rolling, I guess. His name's Febrise."

Scott blinked. "Wait...did you just say he's named after an air-freshener?"

Alison burst out laughing.

"Not *Febreze!* *Febrise!*" She exclaimed.

"Oh. Sorry."

Clark chuckled. "Well, I guess we'd better get going. Will we meet back here in a couple of hours?"

"Sure." Scott said.

"Okay." Jean agreed.

"Fine by me." Alison said. Smiling, she looped her arm through Clark's. "Let's get going, Clarkie." she cooed.

Clark grinned.

"Happy to oblige, Ali." He replied. With that, they headed into the mall, before going their separate ways.

Alison led Clark into a chic-looking store; once they were inside, Alison removed her glasses and cap, and then shook her hair loose. She then led him to the store's main desk. "Could you tell Febrise that Ali is here to see him?" Alison asked the receptionist, smiling.

"Oh! R-Right away, Miss Blaire!" The receptionist replied, before hurrying off.

Clark smiled. "Do they know you here?"

Alison nodded, smiling. "I'm a regular."

"*There* you are!"

Clark turned to see a lean, almost *delicate* man, in his twenties, only slightly taller than Alison, with hazel eyes, and thin black hair, with a trim black mustache, clad in a black sweater and black slacks. He smiled at Alison.

"I was *wondering* when you were going to drop by! I was afraid that I was going to miss you!" He lisped.

Alison smiled. "*How* could I not visit you, Febrise? *Especially* after you went to the trouble of finding that purse!"

The guy – Febrise – then glanced to Clark...and smiled a mega-watt smile. "And *who* is *this* strapping specimen?"

Alison smiled, looping her arm around Clark's elbow, resting her head against his arm.

"This is my boyfriend, Kal." She said.

Clark smiled, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Febrise shook his hand. "*Wow!* Now *that's* a handshake!" He exclaimed. "So *you're* the reason our little Ali has been so happy, these past few months!"

Clark chuckled. "I do what I can."

Alison giggled.

"I've never been happier." She cooed.

Clark smiled, and lightly kissed her temple, causing Alison to lightly blush. "Same here, Ali."

"So, Kal...what do *you* do?" Febrise asked.

"Mostly charity work." Clark said; it was the closest thing there was to his work as Superman.

Alison chuckled. "Sometimes, he has to travel a lot." she said. "He has to fly all over the place."

"Oh, that must be *awful*..." Febrise lamented.

Alison shook her head. "It may be a *tiny* bit frustrating..." She admitted, "...but I know that Kal does *real* good in the world. I would *never* deny him that." She lightly hugged his arm. "It's part of what makes him the man I adore."

Clark smiled. "And coming back to *you* makes it all worthwhile, Alison." he replied.

Febrise grinned. "Ali, I am *so* happy for you!" he exclaimed. "After the run of bad dating-luck you've had, you *deserve* a man like him!"

"What about you?" Alison asked. "How's your clothing-line coming along?"

"Oh, it's *just* getting started!" Febrise said. "My only complaint is that the models for my line are nowhere *near* as sweet as you, Ali." He sighed. "I miss doing your outfits, sometimes, honey. I *never* had the troubles with *you* that I have with *them*. I *swear*, there's so much cattiness in them, I sometimes feel like calling the *pound!*"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Alison said. "I miss you doing my outfits, too. My new wardrobe handler is great, but she's no Febrise!"

Febrise smiled.

"Oh, honey, you don't need me!" He said. "Why, you could go out on stage in a *potato sack*, and you'd *still* knock 'em dead with those picture-perfect looks and that voice of yours!" He grinned. "Not that I would have *ever* let you go on stage with something so *atrocious!*"

Alison smiled. "Thanks!" she said. "Anyway, did you have that purse?"

"Of *course!* I have it stashed in the back!" Febrise said. "I'll just go get it."

Suddenly, Clark's hearing picked up a news bulletin; there was a traffic incident on the Brooklyn Bridge.

"Uh, Ali, I'm sorry, but I need to go." He said. "I...just remembered that there's something I need to take care of."

Alison nodded, understanding completely.

"Sure, Kal." She said. "I'll just be browsing around here for the next little while."

Clark smiled.

"Thanks, baby." He said, giving Alison a quick kiss, before darting off. Clark quickly left the mall, finding an empty alley, where he shed his street clothes, revealing his uniform underneath. Superman tucked his clothes in a hidden nook in the alley, before taking to the sky, flying towards the Brooklyn Bridge.

He hoped he wasn't too late.

Warren hoped he wasn't too late.

He'd been out on "patrol" for a few minutes, flying over the Brooklyn Bridge, when he saw the car tipping dangerously over the edge of the bridge...with a man, woman, and child – a little girl – trapped inside.

Quickly, Warren flew down to the car, opened the door, and pulled the mother and father out, getting them to safety, before heading back to the car to save the little girl. Before he could pull her out, the car tipped fully over, plummeting towards the water.

Warren dove after the car, catching up enough to pull himself inside the car, grab the little girl, and fly out, seconds before the vehicle hit the frigid waters.

Warren touched down on the bridge, setting the little girl down.

"Mommy!" The girl cried, rushing to her mother's arms.

"Oh, sweetheart." The mother cried, embracing her child, "Thank God you're okay!"

After the little girl had hugged her mother, she ran to Warren's side, hugging his leg.

"Thank you, Mr. Angel!" She exclaimed, smiling up at him.

Warren then noticed that a crowd had gathered around him, softly murmuring; it was making him a little nervous. He started to back up...

...and noticed that one of the steel support-cables of the bridge had gotten loose, and curled around his ankle...the ankle of the leg that the little girl was hugging. Suddenly, before Warren could shout a warning, the cable pulled on his leg, jerking it...and causing the little girl to lose her grip, and go over the edge, the cable releasing him as she fell.

Which was noticed by a man with short black hair in street clothes before he used the crowd to shed his street clothes.

"*NO!*" Warren cried, racing towards the edge...and then he suddenly heard a sonic boom shake the air below the bridge. He looked over the edge...and the little girl was gone, with not even a ripple in the water, with no sound of a splash.

'*What have I done?*' Warren thought. He flew off, burying his head in his hands.

Superman had reached the Brooklyn Bridge not a moment too soon...

..but the girl was instead caught by a man in a red and white uniform with yellow flames on the gloves and boots.

"Greetings, I am Shiro Yoshida. You may call me Sunfire." Sunfire handed the girl to Superman before flying away from the bridge. She was unconscious – in shock. Quickly, Superman scanned the area below, and found an ambulance on a nearby street, the paramedics bandaging a homeless man's broken arm. While they were focusing on the homeless man, Superman rapidly descended, placed the little girl on the stretcher in the ambulance, took a piece of paper and wrote, '*Brooklyn Bridge victim. Shock.*' before placing it on her chest, and then flying off. Watching from above, he saw the paramedics find her, and begin treatment for shock.

She'd be alright.

Superman then flew back towards the bridge, reviewing what he'd seen on his way; it seemed like there *was* an 'Angel' in New York, and he'd initially saved that little girl and her family...and then that steel cable had caused him to accidentally knock the little girl over the edge, making it look like he'd done it on purpose.

And it had *worked*; after the "Angel" had fled, he'd overheard the crowd start calling him "freak." and "monster." Someone had wanted those people to mistrust him...someone capable of manipulating metal...

Superman scanned the surrounding area with his vision, acting on a hunch...and found high levels of electromagnetic energy in the area, concentrated on the bridge; someone had manipulated that cable from the sidelines.

*Magneto.*

His eyes narrowing, Superman scanned the dispersing crowd from above, looking for any individual with electromagnetic abnormalities...but found none. Magneto had already escaped. Frowning, Superman turned, and headed back towards the New York Mall, to meet up with Alison.

Knowing Magneto, he'd find him soon enough.

After the two hours had passed, Scott and Jean headed back to the parking lot, meeting Clark and Alison at the car.

"Did you get what you wanted, Ali?" Jean asked.

Alison nodded, smiling. "Jenny will be so *happy!*"

Clark looked worried.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, guys, but Magneto's in town." He said. "I spotted heavy electromagnetic activity near the Brooklyn Bridge; I think he tried to set up that 'Angel' guy."

Scott frowned.

"Then that 'Angel' *has* to be a mutant." He said. "We'd better stick around for a while, and make sure Magneto doesn't try anything."

"I agree." Clark said. "We should look around the city, and see if we can spot this 'Angel' or Magneto." With that, they all got in Scott's car, and drove out of the parking lot.

Scott spent the next few hours driving around the city, as Clark scanned the city with his vision, his hearing on full alert...but with no luck. It was nearly sunset when they pulled into a restaurant next to an outdoor skating rink, to get a few cups of hot chocolate.

It was Alison who suggested it.

"Guys?" She asked. "How about we take a breather and just go skating for a while? If Magneto tries anything, Clark should be able to hear him, right?"

Jean thought about it for a moment...and smiled.

"Well, I guess we could for a *little* while." She said. She turned to Scott, smiling. "What do *you* think, Slim?"

Scott grinned. "I suppose a *little* break would be okay."

Clark chuckled. "And I guess I'm outvoted, either way." He joked. "Skating, it is, then." With that, they finished their mugs of hot chocolate, and then headed outside to the rink.

After they each rented a pair of skates, they headed out onto the ice, Scott and Jean skating together, holding hands, just as Clark and Alison were. Scott turned to Jean, looking into her beautiful emerald orbs, smiling. '*This was a good idea.*' He sent to her.

Jean smiled at him, her eyes shining. '*I'm so glad you're coming to spend Christmas with me.*' she telepathically cooed. '*I just hope my family doesn't scare you off.*'

Scott laughed. **Jean,** nothing' *could make me give you up.*'

'*You don't know my family, Slim...'*especially **my mother.*' Jean replied. '*My father is** great**; I know he'll just** love **you. My older sister, Sara...well, she's okay, if a little bit of a socialite; she'll probably be too busy talking about her fiancé to bother you. My** mother**, however...*' she sighed,*** *...after five minutes with her, you'll never want to see me, again.*'

Scott smiled, and kissed her cheek. **Jean, I** love' *you. Nothing your mother says or does is going to change that. Heck, she **can't** be all bad; she made **you**, didn't she?*'

Jean's smile doubled in radiance. **Oh,** God'*, Scott, I love you so much.*' she mentally cooed, before she moved closer to him, her eyes closing in bliss. Scott smiled back, and leaned down to her, sealing her lips with his own.

Nothing could ruin the moment.

As Sabretooth walked through the crowded streets, people stayed *well* out of his way. Victor grinned to himself; that was one of the advantages to being a mutant as intimidating as him.

He'd been in the crowd when Mags had pulled that stunt on Wing-Boy; he'd managed to catch his scent, and was currently prowling through the city, hoping to catch his trail. And while he was on the bridge, he'd caught *another* scent, one that was familiar, but was wholly *unique*; it was a scent that Victor would *never* forget.

*The alien's scent.*

Sabretooth snarled to himself; he'd *never* forgotten what that little green *runt* had done. The first time he'd encountered the runt was when he'd been fighting Logan; he'd come to the rescue of Short-Stuff and two of his students...and almost punched Victor into *orbit*. Later, at Asteroid M, Mags' one-time home-base, he'd *had* the runt – had him right in his hands – and the runt had *tricked* him into dropping him off the Asteroid...right into the rising sun, which had refueled his powers, previously drained by that green space-rock. And *then*, during the fight on the Asteroid, the runt had punched him *straight through* the Asteroid, and out into the bitter cold of the North Pole...forcing him to *walk* all the way back to civilization!

'*Damn near took me six **months'*** **to report back to Mags.*' Sabretooth thought, still seething.*** *I'm coming for you, runt, 'prophecy' or not...*'

Then, Victor caught a scent; not the scent of Wing-Boy, but he recognized it – there was no mistaking it.

*It was the scent of a being not born on Earth.*

Victor smiled savagely, as his nose followed the runt's scent to an outdoor skating rink. Then, he saw him, in regular clothes, skating with a blond-haired girl.

'*So, you found a little skirt, eh, runt?*' Sabretooth thought. '*Well, she's fair game, now!*'

He knew that Mags didn't want them to blow their cover...but there was nothing wrong with giving the runt and his bitch a little *scare*.

Grinning savagely, Victor stalked towards the couple, stealthily moving through the crowd on the ice, his eyes gleaming with savage light.

Clark and Alison were skating together on the ice, simply enjoying this peaceful, tender moment. Clark looked to Alison, smiling at her, and she smiled back.

He was *sure*, now; he *loved* her. Part of him wanted to tell her, then and there...

Suddenly, his hearing caught something; it wasn't a distress call, or a transmission on the emergency channels – it was *nearby*. It was a voice, and it sounded familiar...

Alison noticed his expression. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure." Clark said, as he scanned the area, looking for what could have set off his hearing...and froze as he saw the gradually-advancing form of Victor "Sabretooth" Creed in the crowd, heading straight for them.

"Hang on." Clark instructed, and Alison nodded, taking hold of his arm. Clark then tapped the tiniest fraction of his super-speed, skating at impressive – but not *too* impressive – speeds, away from Creed. He heard Victor snarl, and chase after them. Once they were relatively in the clear, Clark turned, and discreetly unleashed a minuscule fraction of his gale-breath; the resulting winds knocked Creed off-balance, and the ice did the rest, causing him to fall flat on his rear. Clark and Alison promptly skated away, as other skaters blocked their path behind them, hopefully causing Sabretooth to lose their scent.

Sabretooth growled in fury as he picked himself up. He'd lost the runt's scent; it was now masked by the other skaters that had passed in front of him.

Suddenly, Victor's communicator started to beep, and he picked it up. "Yeah?"

"*We've located him, Creed. Rendezvous with us at this location.*" came Magneto's voice. Then, the coordinates appeared on the communicator's screen.

Victor scowled, glancing back to where the alien had been. '*You got lucky, runt.*' he thought. With that, he headed off.

After they'd evaded Sabretooth, Clark and Alison came into a hidden part of the rink, surrounded by trees. Clark listened carefully...and smiled, hearing no signs of Sabretooth following them.

"Who *was* that?" Alison asked.

"Victor 'Sabretooth' Creed. He's one of Magneto's goons...and likely the only one who could possibly hate me more than Pietro does." Clark replied. "The first time I encountered him, he was attacking Logan, Scott, and Kurt; I ended up punching him across the city."

Alison giggled. "I'll bet *that* hurt!"

Clark chuckled. "Yeah, but probably not as much as when I knocked him all the way through Asteroid M." he said. "From the looks of it, ol' Vic hasn't forgiven me."

Alison smiled. "You can *so* easily take him on." She cooed.

Clark smiled back. "Thanks, Ali." he said. Then, he looked worried. "But if he's here, then Magneto is *definitely* here...which means that he may have Kryptonite."

Alison looked worried. "Well, *we're* here for you." she assured him. "If he tries any dirty tricks, we'll back you up."

Clark smiled. "Thanks." he said. Then, his smile grew. "But Magneto will have a harder time using that advantage, this time around. I once told you about how I once went to Mars and Jupiter, right?" Alison nodded. "Well, I developed a nano-suit to use in space; I built it into my buckle," he added, lifting up his shirt to show his uniform's belt-buckle, "and recently, I've modified it to repel Kryptonite radiation. If Magneto tries to use Kryptonite on me again, I just have to flip on my nano-suit, and I'm A-okay!"

Alison smiled.

"Super-powerful, super-handsome, super-sweet, *and* super-smart!" She exclaimed.

Clark smiled sheepishly, his face going a bit red...and then, his hearing picked up a transmission...with a voice that he recognized. He took out his belt-communicator and snapped it open. "Scott, I just intercepted a transmission; Magneto's on the move. I'm activating my communicator's transponder; follow me and Ali as soon as you can."

"*We will.*" Scott replied. "*Scott out.*"

Clark folded up and clipped his communicator back on his belt. "I'd better suit up." he said. "Magneto's spotted this 'Angel' guy, and he's going after him."

Alison lightly smiled. "Good thing I brought my own uniform." she said. "I was going to bring it with me to our family-reunion; Jenny really wanted to see my 'superhero-uniform.'" she giggled. "I guess your habits are rubbing off on me, Clarkie; I wore it under my clothes!"

Clark grinned. "Oh, you are *so* the girl for me!" he said, causing Alison's face to go a lovely rose color. Then, they both headed into the woods in opposite directions, to change.

In minutes, both Superman and Dazzler had shed their street clothes, now clad in their uniforms, leaving their street clothes – and skates – hidden in the forest. Superman then lifted Dazzler into his arms, and took to the sky, heading for the coordinates that Magneto had relayed to Sabretooth.

By the time Warren had found the hospital where the little girl had been taken, the sun had just started to set, the blanket of night just falling over New York. Still in his uniform, he could only watch as the little girl slept, her parents at her bedside. '*At least she's okay.*' Warren thought, before he flew off.

He'd failed her.

'*How does Superman deal with things like this?*' Warren thought sadly. If Superman *was* real, there was no *way* that he could be there to stop *every* crime, to save *everyone*. If the guy was real, Warren had a whole new respect for him, to do the things he *did* do, and handle the things he *couldn't*.

Suddenly, Warren's eyes went wide, as he spotted a cape-clad silhouette ahead of him...*floating in the air*. **No** way'*...*' Warren thought. Could it be *him*..?

Warren flew after the silhouette, which quickly darted away, heading down into an old, abandoned cathedral. Warren flew down, and headed inside...only to find the place abandoned. "I must have been seeing things..." Warren said to himself.

"Not tonight, Warren Worthington the Third."

Startled, Warren looked up...in time to see an older man, in black-and-red armor, with a long black cape, and an armored, almost bucket-shaped helmet, descend to the ground. "You...you're not Superman!" Warren said. "Who are you?"

The man smiled. "You're right, Warren; I am not Superman." he replied. "I am called Magneto, and I am a mutant, like yourself."

"A...mutant?" Warren repeated. "Is...that what I am?"

Magneto nodded.

"Surely you did not think that regular humans grew wings?" He said. "Mutants are blessed with abilities that humans do not possess; your gift is your wings."

Warren sighed glumly. "They sure don't feel like a gift, right now."

"Only because you used them for the wrong reason." Magneto said. "As admirable as it may be to try to use them to help humans, it is ultimately foolish. We are *better* than they are, Warren. Helping them is a waste of time."

Warren didn't like where this was going. "Superman doesn't seem to think so." he countered.

Magneto frowned. "Superman simply needs to see the truth." he said. "He is blinded by idealism, Warren; he merely must be made to see humanity for what it *is*."

Warren frowned. "So what do you want from *me?*"

"Join us, Warren." Magneto said. "My recruits – my Acolytes – fight to protect our people from the humans that wish us harm. We will accept you, Warren...unlike those humans, who call you 'freak,' or 'monster.' Come with us."

Warren shook his head.

"No thanks." He said. "No offense, but I don't think I like how you do things. Count me out." He flapped his wings, starting to fly away.

"I see." Magneto said coldly. "I'm sorry, Warren, but you've left me no choice."

Suddenly, a steel chain shot in and wrapped around Warren, knocking him to the ground.

"*What the..?!*" Warren yelled.

"You never asked about *my* gift, Warren." Magneto said. "I can manipulate electromagnetic fields; I am the Master of Magnetism." Just then, two other figures – a tall, burly-looking guy in brown leather, and a 16-year-old silver-haired youth, in a green bodysuit and silver armor – walked in.

"Take him away." Magneto said to them. "We must leave before..."

But he was cut off as a red beam blasted him from the entrance, sending him flying. Just then, two more people – a 17-year-old guy in red shades, and a red-haired girl of the same age – ran in.

"Still kidnapping recruits, Magneto?" The shades-guy shouted.

Magneto frowned.

"So, Charles still thinks coexistence is possible, does he?" He yelled. "Then he's a *fool*, and you're both fools for following him!" He looked to his two 'Acolytes.'

"Get them!" He ordered. Warren could only watch as the two Acolytes leapt at his would-be rescuers.

Scott had initially suggested that Superman and Dazzler keep back, while he and Jean went in first, on the hope that they could reach the 'Angel' first.

'*Hindsight strikes again.*' Scott thought, as he unleashed his optic-blasts, knocking Sabretooth back, while Jean used her TK to catch Quicksilver...until the speedster whirled out of her psychic grip, and started running around the both of them. "Where's your powerhouse, X-Geeks?" Pietro taunted. "Is he still moping about his stupid planet blowing up? I say good riddance to bad – "

But a blast of pure white energy cut him off, sending him flying, as Dazzler stood at the cathedral entrance.

"*Don't* talk about my sweetie that way, Maximoff." She snapped.

By then Sabretooth had recovered, and had leapt at Scott...when a sonic boom shook the air, and a red-and-blue blur slammed into Sabretooth, knocking him back a good thirty feet.

Magneto smiled.

"Ah, Kal-El!" He greeted. "I was wondering when you would arrive."

Superman glared at Magneto.

"You have a *lot* to answer for, Lensherr." He said. "I suggest you surrender before things get out of hand."

"Still playing the hero, I see." Magneto said. "Why, Kal-El? Why waste your time on those ridiculous *Homo sapiens*? Didn't you see how they turned on Warren?"

"Because you manipulated the metal support cables and caused that little girl to fall off the bridge!" Sunfire yelled after flying inside the church. "I was the one who ended up saving her."

"That's a new low." Superman added.

"They are unworthy of you, Kal-El." Magneto said. "But you will see that in time." With that, he summoned his powers, pulling a massive steel chandelier from the ceiling, and casting it at them.

Superman flew up and easily caught the chandelier, tossing it harmlessly aside. His eyes narrowing, Magneto pulled the metal bolts out of the inner framework of the cathedral, and sent them flying...towards Scott, Jean, and Alison...

...which were quickly incinerated and turned into ash by Sunfire. The ash then blew away.

"Thanks. Jean and I will get that guy Warren loose." Scott said. "Can you and Ali handle them?"

Dazzler turned to Superman, smiling. "I'm game!"

"I'll handle Tooth and Magneto. Can you handle Quicksilver?"

Dazzler giggled. "Piece of cake!"

"I want a piece of Magneto as well." Sunfire declared.

"Okay." Scott said. "Good luck." With that, he and Jean darted towards the trapped Warren, as they held back Magneto and his Acolytes.

Superman's eyes narrowed as Sabretooth got back up, snarling.

"It's been a while, runt." He growled. "I'll bet you thought it was pretty funny, knocking me *all the way through that asteroid!* Do you have any *idea* how long it took me to get out of the North Pole?!"

"Obviously not long enough to improve your disposition." Superman calmly quipped.

Roaring, Sabretooth charged at Superman, who easily caught his wrists, stopping his charge, his face inches from Superman's.

"You're dead meat, runt!" Sabretooth roared. "You and your little chickadee's days are *numbered!*"

Superman's eyes narrowed.

"I think you need to *relax*, Creed." He countered. "You could use a nice *flight*. Don't worry; *I'll help!*"

*CRACK!*

Superman's fist slammed into Creed's solar plexus in less than a fraction of a second, striking the soft tissue not protected by the rib cage, knocking the wind out of Sabretooth. Creed doubled over, wheezing...

***WHAM!***

Superman's follow-up uppercut sent Sabretooth *flying* straight up, crashing through the ceiling of the cathedral.

A silver streak then zoomed past him, circling him at high speeds.

"Foxy outfit that Alison's in, eh, Super-Dork?" Quicksilver taunted. "*Man*, wouldn't I *love* to hit *that!*"

Superman's eyes narrowed at the crass mention of his girlfriend, but he wouldn't be baited.

"I'm surprised to see you out here, Mr. 'Last Dork of Crap-Tun'!" Pietro taunted. "I thought you'd still be all mopey after you lost your whole loser race! If you ask me, *good riddance!*"

Superman ignored him, smiling as he realized Dazzler's plan.

Quicksilver's eyes narrowed.

"What's so funny, loser?!" He snarled.

Superman just grinned, as a sparkling haze engulfed the both of them, courtesy of Dazzler.

"What the...*I can't see!*" Pietro cried, as he came to a stop.

"Really, Pietro?" Superman asked. "*I* don't have that problem." With that, he darted at Pietro, flicking him with his finger, sending him flying, before moving at super-speed to intercept him, and flicking him back the other way. Superman did this several times, before stopping.

As the sparkling haze faded, a very dazed Quicksilver stood in front of Superman, and *three* Dazzlers. Pietro blinked. "W-Wha..?"

The Dazzlers smiled.

"You only have one chance to guess which is the *real* me, Maximoff." They said as one.

Pietro gulped. "Uh...the one on the left?"

The Dazzlers on the left and right faded away.

"Wrong!" The middle Dazzler – the *real* one – said. "You lose!" With that, she punched him right in the face, her punch unleashing an electric charge from her quartz-laced glove, knocking him out.

Dazzler turned to him, smiling.

"*Nobody* insults my sweetie and gets away with it!" She cooed.

Superman grinned. "*That's* my girl!"

Seeing that he was outmatched, Magneto levitated through the hole in the ceiling, escaping with Sunfire in hot pursuit. Looking to Scott and Jean, Superman saw that they had freed Warren.

"Go after him!" Scott said.

"We'll be fine here!" Superman nodded, and took to the sky, flying after Magneto as well.

In seconds, Superman had caught up with the Master of Magnetism.

"That's far enough." Sunfire stated.

"There's nowhere to run, Magneto." Superman said.

"I don't *intend* to!" Magneto declared. He stretched out his hand, focusing...

Suddenly, a billboard behind Superman started to buckle, its support beams bending, and it began to tip towards the road below...

His eyes widening in horror, Superman darted to the billboard, pushing it back up and welding its beams back into place with his eye-rays, quickly mending it...and then a huge metal girder from a nearby construction site slammed into him, guided by magnetism.

"You see, Kal-El?" Magneto said. "Do you *see* how caring for them weakens you? You should be *ruling* them; you are a *god* among *insects*, Kal-El! Why should you *bother* with them?"

"Because it's *right*." Superman countered.

Magneto's eyes narrowed.

"So help me, Kal-El, I *will* snap you out of this foolish compassion for *them!*" He roared. He summoned his powers, pulling the bolts out of a wooden water-tower, splintering it...and causing the huge block of ice within to fall towards the street...

Instantly, Superman unleashed his eye-rays, melting the ice into a lukewarm, harmless shower. He turned, in time to see another girder come flying at him, and got ready to catch it...

...and then, a sphere of white light blasted it out of the way. Superman turned to see Dazzler there, standing on a floating disc of semi-translucent hard light. Dazzler smiled.

"I hope the Invisible Woman doesn't mind that I borrowed one of her tricks!" She exclaimed.

Magneto snarled as he saw Dazzler, readying another girder...but Superman was ready for it; he unleashed his gale-breath, sending Magneto flying, right into the path of Dazzler's hard-light beams, knocking him for a loop. Magneto's face twisted in fury, as he used his powers one more time, buckling *two* billboards.

"That is more important right now." Sunfire observed as he flew towards one of the billboards.

Superman and Dazzler broke off their attack, flying to the billboards. Superman pushed one back, with Sunfire welding it back in place, while Dazzler generated a hard-light force-field, using it to keep the billboard in place until Superman could push it back and weld its support beams.

By then, Magneto was long gone.

Dazzler sighed in exhaustion, her hard-light "hover-board" starting to flicker. Superman promptly lifted her into his arms, causing her to smile, sighing happily.

"I didn't think I'd be *this* tired!" She exclaimed. "I guess that trick tired me out."

Superman smiled.

"It looked like a difficult one to do, Ali." He said. "You did really well; I'm *very* proud of you."

Dazzler smiled, a lovely rosy tint coloring her face.

"Thanks!" She cooed. Smiling, Superman flew back towards the cathedral, with Dazzler in his arms.

Superman touched down outside the cathedral, setting Dazzler down on her feet. As they landed, Scott, Jean, and Warren came out to greet them. Warren had an amazed expression on his face.

"Dear Lord...you're *real*..." He murmured.

Superman smiled reassuringly. "I try to stay under the radar for much of the same reason that you do." he said. "I think what you're doing is good, but it might be best for you to lay low, at least for now; too many people have seen you, and you could be putting yourself at risk."

Warren nodded.

"That's probably a good idea." He agreed. "I'm not sure that I'm cut out for this hero-business. I don't know how you can handle it all, Superman!"

Superman chuckled.

"Well, don't count yourself out, just yet." He replied. "I think you'd be pretty good at it."

"We're from the Xavier Institute, where mutants like us learn to control their talents, and use them for good." Scott added. "We'd be honored if you joined us, Warren."

Jean smiled. "But, unlike Magneto, we won't force you; we'll respect your decision, either way."

Warren smiled. "Well, you guys certainly sound better than that 'Magneto' guy...but no, thanks." He said. "I think I'll just be laying low, for a little while...but later, who knows?"

"That's fine by us." Superman said. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Warren said, and with that, he flew off.

"Well, I guess we'd better get back to the Institute." Scott said. "Jean and I were going to catch a ride with Logan in the Blackbird out to Boston, to see Jean's parents."

Superman nodded.

"Ali and I need to head back, too. We were flying out to Smallville for our reunion." He said. Smiling, he lifted Alison into his arms. "We'd better get going as soon as we can; we're already a little late!"

"Okay, then." Jean said, smiling. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" Superman replied, and he then took to the sky, with Alison in his arms, heading for the Institute.

After making a quick stop at the skating rink to pick up their street clothes, Superman flew them both back to the Institute, to get ready. After quickly changing into his street clothes, Clark had gathered together the few things he needed, as well as the presents he had for his Ma and Ali's family. He then headed to Ali's room, and helped her gather her things into her suitcase. Alison had opted to remain in her uniform, since her younger cousin had wanted to see Ali's 'superhero-uniform.' Alison gave him a radiant smile as he finished helping her pack.

"You're so sweet, Clark." She cooed. "And I think that Jenny will just *love* meeting you!"

Clark grinned; Alison's Aunt Bridget and Uncle Mike both knew that he was Superman, but Jenny didn't, yet.

"I hope I don't freak her out." He said.

"Of *course* you won't!" Alison exclaimed, laughing. "She'll *love* you!" Then, she looked a bit nervous. "I just...hope Mrs. Kent approves of me."

Now it was Clark's turn to laugh.

"Ali, my Ma just *adores* you!" He said. "You have *nothing* to worry about."

Alison smiled.

"Thanks." She cooed. "Well, we'd better get going!" With that, they headed downstairs, with Clark carrying Alison's suitcase, his own knapsack over his shoulder.

As they reached the main floor, the Professor, Hank, Rogue, and Remy were there to see them off; everyone else had already left.

"I hope you both have a nice time." The Professor said, smiling. "Be sure to give Martha and the Blaire family our best."

Clark smiled. "We will."

Rogue half-smiled.

"Ah hear that ya met up with Bucket-Head, today." She said. "Ah can't believe that Ah was stuck listenin' ta Swamp-Rat's flirtin' all day while *that* happened!"

Remy smirked.

"Y' be in denial, chere." He said. "If y' *really* wanted Remy t' stop, all y' 'ad t' do was tell 'im."

Alison giggled.

"I think Remy's right, Rogue." She said. "If you *really* wanted him to leave you alone, you would have told him off, by now."

Rogue half-heartedly frowned.

"Aw, not *you*, too, Diva!" She said.

Hank chuckled.

"I hope you both fly safely." He said. "Merry Christmas!"

Clark smiled.

"Merry Christmas!" He replied. "We'll see you in a few days!" With that, he and Alison waved good-bye, heading outside. Clark then temporarily set their luggage down, as he took off his jacket and draped it over Alison.

"It gets pretty cold at high altitudes, this time of year." He said. "You need this more than I do."

Alison smiled, lightly blushing.

"You're such a gentleman." She cooed. Clark returned her smile, before putting his knapsack back on, and then lifting Alison into his arms, and then picking up her suitcase with one hand, before taking to the sky, flying for Smallville.

Within a few minutes, Clark touched down in front of the Kent family home, setting Alison down, smiling as he took in the sights of his childhood home, covered in a white blanket. They walked to the front door, and Clark rang the doorbell. Seconds later, Martha Kent answered it...beaming as she saw who it was. "*Clark!*"

Clark grinned, and gave his Ma a hug. "Merry Christmas, Ma!"

"Merry Christmas, honey! It's so good to see you!" Martha replied.

Alison smiled. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Kent!"

Martha then took a look at Alison, smiling.

"*Alison?!*" She exclaimed. "Oh my *goodness*, *look* at you! You're *beautiful!*" She gave Alison a hug. "Please, both of you, come in! Everyone else is already here! I was starting to get worried!"

Clark chuckled as he and Alison headed inside. "Sorry we're late, Ma. We had...*work*." At that, Martha smiled, nodding in understanding.

They were now in the living room of the household, where Mike – a tall, fairly lean man in his forties, with short brown hair, lightly spotted with grey, and green eyes, wearing a grey sweater and blue jeans – and Bridget Blaire sat, sipping tea. Bridget smiled as she saw Clark and Alison. "It's so good to see you both!" she exclaimed, getting up to hug Alison, and then Clark.

Alison smiled.

"It's great to see you, too!" She said. "I missed you so *much!*"

Mike smiled, and got up, extending his hand to Clark.

"It's good to see you again, son." He said. "You've been doing good things with your abilities. It's an honor to know you."

Clark smiled, and shook his hand.

"Thank you, sir." He replied. "I do what I can."

"*ALI!*"

Alison laughed as a little blur tackled into her, knocking her on her rear. Clark took a closer look...and smiled as he saw a little 10-year-old girl, with auburn hair tied in pigtails, green eyes, and freckles, clad in a light pink sweater and blue pants, hugging the stuffing out of Alison.

'*This must be Jenny.*' Clark thought.

"Hi, Jenny!" Alison said, smiling, returning her little cousin's hug.

"I missed you *soooooo* much!" Jenny exclaimed. "I'm so happy to see you!" Then, she got a better look at her older cousin. "Is that your costume? It's so cool and pretty! Are you *really* a superhero? What are your powers? Have you ever..?"

"Jenny, one question at a time!" Alison laughed. "Yes, this is my uniform, but I think I'm more of a 'superhero-in-training.' My code-name is 'Dazzler.'"

"Wow!" Jenny exclaimed, hugging Alison again. "I've got the *coolest* cousin in the *world!*"

Alison smiled at the compliment.

"As for my powers...why don't I show you?" She said. Jenny beamed, and then hopped off Alison's lap, quickly getting on her pink winter coat. Alison then headed outside, and, at a nod from Bridget and Mike, Jenny followed her.

"I'll just go unpack our stuff." Clark said. "Ali can use my room, and I'll take the couch." Then, Clark picked up Alison's suitcase, and brought it upstairs.

After laying Alison's suitcase on the bed in his old room, Clark turned to head downstairs...and came face-to-face with his Ma, who was smiling. "I'm so happy for you, honey." she said. "Alison was always a sweet girl, and now she's an absolutely *enchanting* young lady; she's *perfect* for you!"

Clark smiled.

"Thanks, Ma." He replied. His smile became a bit nervous. "Ma...I think I...*love* her." he confessed.

Martha's smile grew. "Have you told her?"

Clark shook his head. "Not yet." he admitted. "I was going to tell her when I give her the gift I have for her; I was going to step out for a few minutes, to put the finishing touches on it."

Martha nodded...and then her smile became a bit knowing. "Clark...I think we should have a little talk."

Clark looked confused. "About what?"

"It."

Clark blinked in confusion. "'It'?"

"*It.*"

"Ma, what are you talking about..." Clark began...and then it hit him.

It hit him harder than *Kryptonite*.

"Ma...*really*, you don't have to." Clark said quickly. "*Please*, just stop talking."

Martha arched an eyebrow.

"I'm not about to let my boy walk into something he might not be prepared for." She said sternly.

"I'm prepared, Ma. I'm *plenty* prepared." Clark said quickly. "*God*, Ma, I spent four years learning from the Knowledge Chamber; I know more about 'the birds and the bees' than *any* guy my age will *ever* want to know. I know about 'It'."

Martha smiled.

"I just wanted to make sure." She said.

Clark managed a smile. "I know, Ma."

"But there *is* one thing you should know, Clark." Martha said, smiling. "A woman's heart is a very precious thing, and it is the most precious gift she has to give, and it can be the most fragile of things. Never forget that, honey."

Clark smiled, and nodded. "I won't, Ma." he promised. "Ali is the most important person in my life."

Martha smiled.

"Then I needn't have worried." She said. "Well, I suppose you'd better go talk with your charming lady-friend."

Clark chuckled, before kissing his Ma's forehead.

"I will, Ma. Thanks for the talk." He said, before he headed downstairs, and walked outside.

As he came outside, Clark had to smile as he saw Alison giving her cousin a ride on her hard-light "hover-board."

"*WHEEEEE!*" Jenny squealed, as the ride came to a stop. "That was so cool! You're the best, Ali!"

Alison smiled.

"Thanks, Jenny!" She said. As she spied, Clark, her smile grew, and Clark smiled back.

"Have you ever met Superman?" Jenny asked.

Alison smiled. "Yes, Jenny." she said, glancing at Clark. "I sure have."

"What's he like?" Jenny squealed. "Is he handsome? How fast does he fly? How strong is he? Please, tell me!"

Alison giggled.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" She suggested, gesturing to Clark. Jenny did so, at first looking confused...

...and then, her eyes widened. "Are...are you..?"

Clark smiled.

"Pleased to meet you, Jenny." He said. "As for your questions, I can fly pretty fast, but I'm not sure *exactly* how strong I am; I've never really tested my limits, which is probably for the best." Then, To Alison, he added, "I just need to step out for a while, Ali; I just have a few things that I need to take care of."

"Okay, Clark." Alison said, walking over and sweetly kissing his cheek. "Hurry back!"

"I will." Clark promised. With that, he took to the sky, flying away at high speeds, a sonic boom echoing behind him.

After Clark had flown off, Alison and Jenny headed back inside...and Alison couldn't help but smile at her cousin's excitement.

"*Mommy, Mommy!*" Jenny exclaimed, rushing to Aunt Bridget. "Ali's boyfriend is *Superman!*"

Bridget smiled.

"Really, honey?" She asked. "Wow, Alison must be a very lucky girl!"

Alison smiled.

"Yes, I am." She agreed. Then, as her cousin continued to rattle off happy exclamations, Alison headed into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Alison found Mrs. Kent, pouring herself a cup of tea.

"Mrs. Kent, I just wanted to thank you for having us all." She said.

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, sweetie." Martha said, smiling. "It's nice to have people around for Christmas. It's a welcome change from spending it alone, back when Clark was...away." Her smile grew. "And that uniform of yours is lovely, honey."

Alison smiled.

"Thanks." She said. "Where's Clark gone off to?"

"Oh, he still has a few errands to run." Martha answered.

"Oh." Alison said. "I...was hoping to give him my present a bit early."

Martha smiled.

"I hope you hid it well." She joked. "When Clark was a child, we had to wrap his presents in lead foil so he couldn't peek!"

Alison laughed.

"Don't worry! *My* present is the kind that can't be packaged!" she said. Her smile became shy. "Mrs. Kent...I think that...I might..."

"You love him, don't you?" Martha said with a smile. "I can't say I'm surprised; you always *were* head-over-heels for Clark as a child." Her smile grew, as she hugged Alison. "I couldn't be more pleased, Alison." she added. "You're a perfect match for my son."

Alison smiled happily, hugging Martha tighter.

"*Thank you.*" She whispered.

"No, sweetheart; thank *you* for making Clark so happy." Martha said. "Now, won't you have a seat, and chat with this old woman a while?" Alison smiled, and sat at the table with Clark's mom, and they started to talk.

It was late at night by the time Carter Blaire reached his apartment building. Carter was in his early fifties, fairly tall, and of average build, with short, light red hair, and blue eyes, wearing his trenchcoat over his business suit. He walked up the stairs, putting down his briefcase to unlock the doors...

"Carter Blaire?"

Annoyed, Carter turned to see a young man, around 20, tall and strongly built, clad in blue jeans and a black jacket, with short black hair and blue eyes, standing behind him. "What do you want?" Carter snapped.

"Just a few minutes of your time, sir." The young man said.

Carter arched an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"I'm a friend of your daughter, sir." The kid answered.

Carter's eyes narrowed.

"If she sent you here to get me to come to this ridiculous 'reunion,' then she wasted her time and yours." He snapped. "Then, of course, wasting time is something she's become an *expert* at."

The man's eyes narrowed.

"Like it or not, Carter, you're a big part of her life." He said coldly. "Just because you got hurt doesn't give you the right to cut her out of your life."

"Who the *hell* do you think you are?!" Carter yelled. "You don't know the first *thing* about..!"

"Who am I?" the man interrupted. "I'm a son who never met his real parents, and I'm an adopted son who hasn't spoken with his foster father for five years. They all left a big hole in my life, sir; the same kind you're leaving in *Alison's* life." He turned around, as if to leave, saying over his shoulder, "There's only *one* difference: my adopted father *died* five years ago. My biological parents died when I was only a baby. *That's* why they aren't in my life." He turned to look Carter right in the eye. "So, tell me, Carter...what's *your* excuse?"

And with that, he turned, and walked away, leaving Carter alone with his thoughts.

It was just after midnight when Clark got back to the Kent farm, holding the flat silver box with Alison's gift in it. He'd put the finishing touches on her gift; he hoped she liked it.

He sighed to himself, sad that he hadn't had much luck with her father.

Opening the door, he tiptoed inside, softly closing the door, so as not to wake anyone. Taking off his shoes, jacket, and jeans, clad only in his t-shirt and black boxers, Clark walked towards the couch...

"Clark?"

Clark turned to see Alison, standing on the stairs, clad in her blue robe.

"Ali?" Clark asked. "Why are you up so late?"

Alison smiled sheepishly.

"I wanted to give you my gift early." She cooed.

Clark smiled.

"Okay." He replied. "I'd like to give you my gift, too."

Alison smiled radiantly. "Can we...exchange gifts in my room?" She asked sweetly. Clark smiled, and nodded. Then, he simply followed Alison to her room.

As they entered Alison's room, Alison shut the door behind them, and they both sat on the side of the bed.

"Can...I go first?" Clark asked.

Alison smiled shyly.

"Sure." She cooed.

Clark smiled, and opened the box he held. "Merry Christmas, Ali."

Alison's eyes widened in amazement, as she let out a soft gasp, as she beheld the crystal pendant on the simple silver chain, the crystal carving on the chain depicting two people embracing, in front of what resembled a Mobius Strip – the symbol for infinity.

"Clark...it's *beautiful*..." Alison whispered.

Clark smiled. "I made it at the Fortress." he explained. "It's a Kryptonian pictograph: *I'tu'ri Li'ru.*"

Alison beamed. "And what does that mean?"

Clark took a deep breath. "*Eternal Love.*"

Alison froze, almost not believing what she'd heard...

Clark continued.

"Alison, the time we've been together has been *wonderful*; the best time of my *life*, and I *never* want it to end." He said. "You make me happy, Ali; you make my heart glad, make everything I do as Superman *worthwhile*. Every time I see you, all the sadness in me just...*goes away*." He took a deep breath. "Alison...what I'm trying to say – what that pendant means – is that..."

"...I love you."

For a moment, Alison didn't speak, and Clark was deathly afraid that he'd goofed it all up...

...and then Alison smiled the most radiant smile of all, her powers activating, causing her to – *literally* – *glow* with happiness. She pounced on him, kissing him with all the joy and love in her heart, and Clark responded with equal loving fervor.

"Oh, Clarkie..." Alison cooed, fighting joyful tears, "...I love you, too."

Clark smiled. "You do?"

"Of *course!*" Alison exclaimed, kissing him again. "How could I *not?* I've been in love with you ever since we were *kids!* This is like a dream come *true!*" She hugged him close. "Oh, *God*, Clark, I love you so *much!*"

Clark's smile grew.

"And I love *you*, Alison." He whispered to her.

Alison's smile *doubled* in radiance, as did her 'glow.'

"Aunt Bridget was right." She cooed. "I'm a *very, very* lucky girl."

Clark chuckled. "Yeah; I guess a lot of girls kinda *do* want to go out with Superman."

Alison giggled, sweetly kissing him again.

"That they do." She sweetly agreed. "But I don't love Clark Kent because he's Superman." Her eyes glittered with pure love at her next words: "It's the other way around: *I love Superman because he's Clark Kent.*"

If Clark smiled any wider, he felt that his face would cramp up. He pulled Alison in close, giving her a passionate, loving kiss, which she happily returned. After the kiss had ended, Clark took the pendant, and undid the clasp for Alison, who smiled, and turned her back to him. Clark laced the pendant around her neck, closed the clasp, and then tenderly slid her hair back, letting the chain rest around her throat, marveling at the silky softness of her shimmery, strawberry blonde tresses.

Alison smiled radiantly.

"I'll *never* take it of...well, except for training and missions." She cooed. Her smile became shy.

"Now, I'll give you *my* gift." She said. Alison stood up, and undid the cloth belt of her robe, letting it pool around her feet, revealing her in her sleepwear.

Clark actually felt his brain *stop*.

Alison was a *vision* in the simple blue bra she wore, accentuating her ample curves *perfectly*, complementing her creamy skin. She also wore matching blue panties...with the stylized red 'S' crest in the middle, surrounded by a red-outlined yellow diamond.

Alison smiled shyly.

"This kind of sleepwear is almost *impossible* to get." She commented absently, her arms shyly crossing over her chest.

"You can probably guess why; for lots of girls, sleeping with your crest is likely the next best thing to *you*." She smiled. "Blue-and-red have kind of become my favorite colors."

Clark smiled gently.

"Alison, you don't *have* to do this..." He began; he didn't want to pressure her...no matter *how* incredibly sexy and alluring she looked...

Alison smiled.

"*Down*, boy." She sweetly teased.

"I have something *else* in mind." She smiled sweetly. "Take off your shirt, and lie face-down."

Clark blinked in confusion, but obeyed. As he removed his t-shirt, Alison smiled approvingly at his chiseled chest, and his powerfully muscled arms and shoulders. As Clark lay face-down, Alison moved on top of him, lovingly straddling him.

"*This* is my gift to you." She cooed. "Merry Christmas, lover."

At that, Alison's hands began to glide over his shoulders, lovingly massaging him, slowly working the tension out of his muscles. At first, Alison had difficulty; Clark's muscles were not only *big*, but incredibly *dense*, making it tough to get started. Soon, though, she felt him relaxing under her touch, the tension slowly leaving. She smiled as she felt him relax; she *knew* he was a bit tense, though the tension hadn't started to get to him. He held the *world* on his shoulders, without so much as a shrug; he was *amazing*. If she could just help him relax, just a bit, that would make all the difference...

"Ali, that feels *amazing*..." Clark whispered.

Alison smiled at her lover's voice, before she leaned forward and placed a kiss between his shoulder blades, as she continued her sweet ministrations. She then gave him another kiss...and another, before nuzzling into him, savoring the wonderfully inviting warmth of him, this man from across the vast ocean of stars, this selfless hero who went out, time and again, to help and protect a race that was not his own, who doubted his very existence...and who had completely and utterly captured her heart.

Then, Clark moved beneath her, and Alison let out a soft squeak of surprise...as Clark turned beneath her, sitting up, and embracing her, smiling at her lovingly. "That felt wonderful, Alison." he whispered tenderly.

Alison shyly smiled, self-conscious under his scrutiny, as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I...do what I can." she cooed.

Clark noticed her shyness.

"Please, Ali, don't hide your beauty from me." He said. "You have nothing to be self-conscious about. You're the most beautiful, most wonderful, most important person in my life, *taushi*."

Alison smiled, blinking.

"'*Taushi*'?" She repeated.

Clark chuckled; it had felt so *natural* to call her that.

"It's a Kryptonian word." He explained. "The closest thing to it in English is 'sweetheart' or 'darling,' but that's not the *exact* translation."

Alison's smile grew.

"What does it *really* mean?" She cooed.

Clark grinned. "Literally translated, it means, '*the other half of my soul.*'"

Alison beamed, before she kissed him, her arms wreathing around his neck, and Clark held her close, returning her kiss. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard." Alison cooed, as their kiss ended. "Is there any beautiful word I can use for *you*?"

Clark chuckled, his nose touching hers. "The companion word to '*taushi*' is '*tausha*;' Kryptonian men used '*taushi*' to refer to the women they loved, and the women used '*tausha*' to refer to the men they loved."

Alison smiled. "So...can I call you '*tausha*'?"

Clark grinned. "Only if I can call you '*taushi*'."

Alison smiled happily. "*Yes.*"

Clark smiled back. "Then, yes, it is." he whispered. "I love you, *taushi*."

"I love you, too, *tausha*." Alison cooed. Smiling, Clark leaned in, capturing her perfect lips in a tender kiss, pulling her close to him. Alison sighed happily, her arms encircling his neck, as she pressed herself to him, lightly giggling as she heard him let out a tiny, pleased whisper as her breasts pressed against his powerful chest.

Slowly, Clark's hands began to trace circles across her back, lovingly exploring her, savoring the feel of her silky-smooth skin, as well as her tiny gasps of pleasure. His hands slowly went to her hips, and slowly, tenderly traveled up to lovingly cup her breasts, causing Alison to gasp, and then softly moan, relaxing completely under his touch. Clark lovingly caressed her curves for a few wonderful seconds, lightly gliding his thumbs over the outline of her nipples beneath the fabric of her bra, as he lovingly kissed her, savoring her tiny noises of pleasure.

Clark's hands then glided back down to her hips, his thoughts guided by his love for her, as he kissed her shoulders, savoring her happy sigh, his hands finding the edge of her panties...

Alison's surprised gasp stopped him, and Clark froze, fearful that he'd upset her, moving back to look at her...

Alison just smiled sweetly, giving him a sweet kiss.

"Clark, this is the most perfect moment of my *life*." She cooed. "*God*, I want you so *much* right now..." her smile became shy, "...but, I'm just not ready for this step, yet."

Clark smiled, his arms simply encircling her waist in a loving hug.

"Okay, Ali." He whispered. "I didn't mean to put any pressure on you..."

"You *didn't*." Alison assured him. "We just...got caught up in the moment."

"Okay." Clark said. "Do you...want me to leave?"

Alison shook her head vehemently.

"*God*, no." She said. "I want you to stay here, with me." She smiled at him lovingly. "I trust you."

Clark returned her smile; he didn't know what his Ma would do if she caught him here, but he wasn't about to tell his *taushi* no. "Okay." he said, as he simply lay down, letting Alison relax on top of him, his arms still around her slender waist, her head nuzzling into the space between his head and his left shoulder – a perfect fit for her.

"Clark..?" she said sleepily. "I love you..." Then, sleep claimed her.

Clark smiled, giving her a light kiss on her temple. "I love you, too, Ali." he said softly, before he closed his eyes, joining her in dreamland.

*Germany, Wagner residence, December 25*

In the German countryside, in the pleasant little home of the Wagner family, Kurt was just helping his mother prepare for their Christmas meal, as his father was bringing in wood for the fireplace.

"*Kurti!*" His mother called, in German, using her nickname for him. "*Come and help your Mutter set the table!*"

"*Coming, Mutter!*" Kurt replied, in German, promptly hurrying to the dining room. Kurt's mother, Magda Wagner, was a bit shorter than Kurt, in her late forties, her kindly face just a tiny bit wrinkled, her brown hair held back by a kerchief, her light eyes a light brown, clad in a simple dress.

Magda smiled as Kurt helped her set the table. "*You're such a good boy, Kurti.*" she said. "*Have you been a good boy at the Professor's school?*"

Kurt smiled, and nodded.

"*Yes, Mutter.*" He replied. Then, he remembered what Clark had suggested to him. "*Mutter, may I please call one of my friends in America on my cell-phone?*"

"*Of course, liebchen.*" Magda replied. "*Be sure to tell them we said hello!*"

Kurt smiled, and hurried outside, to get a better signal, passing by the tall, strongly-built Johann Wagner, his father. Johann, in his fifties, with short, black hair, blue eyes, and clad in a simple shirt and overalls, simply waved to Kurt before heading inside. Kurt waved back, before taking out his cell-phone and dialing; he hoped he could remember the number...

"*Hello? Sefton residence, Amanda speaking.*"

Kurt gulped, and switched back to English. "Uh...h-hi, Amanda."

There was a momentary pause. "*K-Kurt?*"

"Uh..ja, it's me." Kurt replied. "Listen, if zhis is a bad time..."

"*N-No! I'm...I'm really glad you called!*" Amanda stammered. "*I just...wasn't expecting it!*"

"Oh." Kurt said. "Vell, a friend of mine kinda gave me zhe idea to call you."

Amanda giggled. "*Well...remind me to thank him when I see him!*"

Kurt smiled, his nervousness evaporating. "I just vanted to say Merry Christmas!"

Amanda giggled.

"*Merry Christmas, Kurt!*" She replied. "*How was your Christmas?*"

"Oh, pretty good." Kurt said, before starting to tell Amanda about where he was and what his plans were...while thinking joyfully to himself, **Clark, I owe you** big' *time!*'

*Pryde Residence, Northbrook, Illinois*

At her family's home, Kitty had just finished lighting her family's menorah, her parents, Alexander and Rebecca Pryde out in the kitchen. So far, this little visit had been great. Once she'd explained that Lance was a part of the X-Men, now, her parents had welcomed him, to Kitty's relief. Right now, they were getting ready for their meal. As the last candle on the menorah flared to life, Kitty turned to head to the kitchen...

...and bumped into Lance, who was slyly grinning.

"I know that Jewish people don't celebrate Christmas." He said, "But I hope you don't mind *this* one little Christmas tradition."

It was then that Kitty noticed the familiar plant-on-a-string that Lance was holding above his head: portable mistletoe. Kitty smiled. "Well," she said, her face getting a bit rosy, "I think I can let this one slide." Then, she stood up on the tips of her toes, and gave Lance a light kiss on the lips...which turned into a five-second kiss, the softest tasting of each other.

After the kiss ended, Kitty smiled. "*Wow*..."

"You can say that again." Lance said, a goofy grin on his face. Kitty could only giggle, as she took him by the hand, and led him into the kitchen.

*Grey Residence, Boston*

Out in the vast, snow-covered back yard of the Grey estate, Scott and Jean, in their winter gear, were talking a walk, holding hands. "I always love this place in winter." Jean said, smiling. "It's so peaceful, here."

Scott smiled, nodding. "It's amazing." he agreed. "But it's still not as beautiful as *you*."

Jean smiled, her face almost going as red as her hair.

"*Flatterer.*" She said. Scott only chuckled, as he leaned closer to her. Jean's emerald eyes closed in bliss, as she leaned into her lover's embrace...

"Jean Elizabeth Grey! Get back here this *instant!* You're going to make us late!"

Jean let out a soft growl of frustration as her mother's voice carried out into the yard.

'*How does she know EXACTLY when to ruin the moment?*' she mentally huffed.

Scott just chuckled. '*Come on, beautiful; let's not make your mother any madder than she already is.*' Jean smiled, as she and Scott headed back towards her mother's call.

*Daniels Residence, New York*

At her sister's home in New York, Ororo and her sister, Vivian, were out on the back porch, in their winter gear, sipping hot chocolate. Vivian was in her mid-forties, around Ororo's height and build, with the same chocolate complexion, mid-length brown hair, and brown eyes. Vivian smiled at Ororo.

"So, Sis, how's life at the Institute?" She inquired.

"Whoa! Heads up!"

With a mild frown, Ororo summoned a gust of wind to deflect the snow from Evan's new snowboard. "Evan! Be careful!"

"Sorry, Auntie O!"

Ororo chuckled.

"Something like *that*, only to a larger extent." She joked.

Vivian laughed politely.

"You have more patience than *I* do!" She exclaimed. "I'd have gone nuts after the first week!"

Ororo smiled.

"They're not always like that." She said. "They're all good kids. We do have a number of new students, but Clark keeps them from going overboard."

Vivian blinked.

"Clark?" She asked. "Who's he?"

Ororo laughed. "Viv, you wouldn't believe me even if I *told* you..."

*New York City*

In a pool hall in New York, Logan was just picking up his pool cue.

"Hope Fury's given you a raise, lately, Steve." He said. "You're gonna need it."

Steve Rogers – A.K.A. "Captain America," the world's only Super-Soldier, and leader of the team of super-humans known as the Avengers – chuckled. "We'll see about that, Jim." he replied. Steve was tall, and powerfully built, seemingly in his twenties – though he was technically in his sixties or seventies, since he'd been frozen since World War II, and thawed out by S.H.I.E.L.D. – with short blond hair and blue eyes, clad in civilian attire.

James Logan just laughed, calling his shot, lining it up, and sinking it. "So, Boy Scout, what's old Iron-Pants up to, lately?"

Steve grinned.

"Sorry, Jim. Can't talk about that." He said, as he sunk two balls; one with a direct hit, the other with a ricochet.

"Figured."

Steve smiled. "And what's the kid been up to, Jim?"

"Same old same old." Logan replied. He lightly scowled. "But as if Magneto wasn't bad enough, now that bastard Doom is gunnin' for Flyboy."

Steve frowned.

"Well, if he ever needs us, the Avengers will back him up." He said. "He still has that communicator I gave him last year, I hope."

"Yep. Flyboy stashed it out in his old haunt." Logan said.

"Good." Steve said, grinning. "Now, Jim, let me show you how it's done..." Logan just smiled, as he continued to play pool with his old war-pal.

*Xavier Institute*

As Rogue and Remy were playing poker in the living room, Charles and Hank were sitting next to the window, both sipping mugs of hot chocolate. "Well, this has been quite a year." Hank said, smiling.

Charles nodded.

"And a new one is about to start." He added.

"Hopefully, it won't be as hectic as the last one."

Charles smiled. "Somehow, I doubt that." he chuckled. He raised his mug. "To new years, and new challenges."

Hank smiled, joining in the toast. "And new friends." he agreed. At that, they both sipped from their mugs, watching the snow fall.

*Kent Farm, Smallville, Kansas*

After their Christmas dinner – yet another tribute to Martha's culinary skill – , Clark and Alison had helped Martha do the dishes. The day had gone very well; the Blaire family had loved the gift that Clark had given them: a holographic diorama of the Xerius Galaxy. He still had to give Jenny her gift, but he figured that she would like it.

As they put the last dishes away, Alison, in her regular clothes, headed to go outside, where Jenny was playing. Clark was about to follow her, when his Ma stopped him. "Clark," she said, smiling knowingly, "I didn't want to say this in front of Alison; I know you were in her room, last night, mister."

Clark gulped, wondering how on Earth his Ma could have figured it out.

"Yes, I was." He admitted. "We did spend the night together, but we didn't do anything; yes, we kissed and cuddled a bit, but nothing else."

Martha smiled.

"I know, Clark." She said. "I was just going to say that, as long as you two are careful, I approve. To be honest, your father and I weren't married the first time we..."

"Okay, Ma." Clark said quickly. "I...appreciate the heads-up."

Martha smiled, kissing him on the cheek.

"Okay, honey." She said. "Now, you go on, before that sweet little Jenny gets too impatient." Clark smiled, and quickly darted up to his room, shedding his street clothes, clad in his uniform, now, before darting outside.

Outside, Alison and Jenny were standing in the snow as Superman walked up to them. Alison smiled, and knelt down to her cousin. "I think Clark's going to give you your present." she said.

"What? What is it?" Jenny asked, excited.

Superman smiled. "Ever wanted to fly?"

Jenny smiled. "*Really?*" she exclaimed.

Superman nodded, and knelt down. "Hop on, sweetheart." he said. With an excited squeal, Jenny hopped onto his back, holding on tight, as Superman flew up into the sky, stopping at a reasonable height above the ground. He then flew around the farm at a reasonable speed...which, to Jenny, was *amazing*.

"*WHEEEEE!*" Jenny exclaimed. "This is so *awesome!*"

After a few minutes, Superman touched down, letting Jenny hop off...in time to see a black car pull up to the Kent household, as a familiar face got out...

"Lex?" Superman asked, smiling.

Lex, clad in a long, black coat, smiled.

"Merry Christmas, big guy!" He said. "I hope you don't mind a party-crasher!"

"Not at all!" Superman said. "Ma will be *thrilled!*"

Smiling, Lex nodded to Alison.

"Hey, Alison." He greeted. "It's nice to see you, again."

Alison smiled pleasantly.

"It's nice to see you, too, Lex." She replied. Her tone turned slightly warning. "No more pranks."

Lex chuckled. "I know, Ali; I'm sorry for all the times I pranked you." he said. He held out his hand. "Truce?"

Alison smiled, and shook it. "Truce."

Just then, Alison's cell-phone rang, and Alison answered it. "Hello?"

Her response made Clark smile.

"*Dad?!*" Alison exclaimed, smiling. "Merry Christmas! It's great to hear you, too!" There was a pause. "Oh. Well, I guess if it's a really important case..." Another pause. "What?" Alison smiled radiantly. "*Sure!* January sounds great! I'll see you later! Thanks for calling! Love you! Bye!"

"Who was that?" Superman asked innocently.

"Oh, like you don't know!" Alison laughed. "That was Dad! He called to say Merry Christmas, and that he couldn't come today, but he wants to take me to dinner in January!" She smiled at Superman.

"He also said that *someone* talked some sense into him, last night!" She hugged Superman.

"Oh, *tausha*, thank you so *much*." She cooed. "You're a *real* angel!"

Superman smiled, returning her hug.

"You're welcome, *taushi*." he replied. "Merry Christmas."

Lex smiled. "I'm guessing there's a story here." he said.

Superman nodded...and then froze. "*Uh-oh.*"

Alison smiled, releasing him from her hug. "I guess you'd better get going."

Superman nodded, giving her a quick kiss.

"I'll be back soon." He promised. To Jenny, he added, "Now you be good while I'm gone, okay?"

"Okay!" Jenny said, smiling.

To Lex, Superman said, "My Ma made her famous fruitcake; if you hurry, you can get some!"

Lex grinned.

"I *love* that stuff!" He exclaimed. "Anyway, good luck!"

"Thanks!" Superman replied. Turning to Alison, he smiled, waving good-bye, before he took to the sky, flying off at top speed, a sonic boom echoing as he flew.

He was still needed.