The Gala & Other Things Continue

"So what did you think?"

Walt grinned and shook Forge's hand. "I love it!" he told the former X-Men holding out his hand. "Infact I want in and to help you with this project, if you'll let me? Funding, resources, manpower... you tell me what you need and I'll get it for you!"

Forge blinked then shook his hand while he started grinning. "You got yourself a deal Walt! You really like it that much?"

Walt nodded claping him on the shoulder. "I do! This just might be my personal favorite thing you've ever created and I can already see other potential uses and applications especially terragenisis and space exploration. Have you considered-"

*Ahem*

Emma had cleared her throat and Walt saw most, but not all, of his dates had glazed expressions. He handed Forge his card. "Ah. Forgive me for rambling? It's a bad habit. I'm sure there's plenty of others who'd like to talk to you. Call me?"

Forge chuckled. "You got it Walt! Thanks again."

Walt watched him go then turned back to the ladies. "Apologies. I got carried away."

Penny smiled. "I thought it was interesting also. It is wonderful to see you so excited!"

Jubilee elbowed him. "You wouldn't know it by looking at him but this ones geek-fu is strong! The stuff he, Forge and Beast used to discuss was...uh, off topic," she quickly changed tack.

Walt understood. Hank McCoy's changed moral compass was still something that folks were getting used to. *Logan seems to think he's possibly partly responsible. Maybe I should try tracking him down?* he thought briefly. *A moraly flexible Beast could be a very big danger to this world... but he'd possibly do well on Prime with 3S. I'll look into it.* "Guilty," he said smiling. "I like that kind of stuff. Anything that gets the old brain humming with ideas is exciting. But it's not for everyone besides I'm-"

His stomach growled and then so did Nora's answering it. Everyone laughed as they both rubbed the back of their necks almost identically giving embaressed chuckles.

"Buffet?" Walt asked and they all nodded.

This worlds Mystique and Destiny couldn't help staring with everyone else as Mystique passed Walt a plate already loaded up with a small smile. "Eat up. You earned it "hero"." She even laughed.

Walt rolled his eyes but smiled saying, "Thank you." He knew when she said "hero", she meant the other thing. Villain. He didn't mind. He didn't care. Titles were meaningless. What was important was that he'd protected those he cared about and they all were safe. Earning Mystique's and others approval for it was simply the frosting on the cake.

Thanks to the earlier excitement this years Hellfire Gala was quickly devolving into an ad-hoc victory party. It had gotten pretty messed up in the battle but with casualties low and quickly taken care of and some quick repairs the gala had gotten going again.

But Walt was distracted... so much so Nora took advantage and helped herself to his food. "Mmmmm strawberry! Not eating? The fruits good!"

Walt stared at Yang. "Melons..."

Yang blinked and Blake nudged her. "Uh, Yang? Your top."

Yang looked down at her tattered dress. She'd ripped the top during the earlier action and had had to tie it but now the knot had come undone and her breasts were just spilling out. "Whoops!" She quickly covered up shot shot Walt a look but laughed. "Well looks like he's still got a weakness. Good to know!" She sighed. "Abother dress ruined. Remind me to be extra nice to Haruna for awhile."

Pyrrha nodded. "Good thinking. We do seem to get into fights at half the parties we attend or have. I hope this isn't becoming a patern. "

The others laughed and nodded as Linda leaned over to shut his mouth and Shocket laughed patting him on the shoulder, "Ok, Captain Stare. Let's go get some drinks and walk it off, huh?"

They lead him towards the bar as the others laughed and giggled. "You're such a ham, you know that?" Linda asked.

Walt smiled at her. "No fooling you, huh?" He shrugged. "As long as everybody is laughing and having fun that's fine, even if I have to act the fool. Besides that wasn't planned and..."

"And?" Shocket asked looking up at him as she held his hand.

Walt grinned. "And Yang's got some great tits if I'm being honest!" He started laughing.

She and Linda shook their heads but laughed along with him. "Ok, horndog," Shocket said. "Keep it in your pants! What is it with you hairless apes that you're always in heat? It's just crazy." They'd reached the bar and she hopped as Walt lifted and so she stood on a stool and then helped Linda do the same as he leaned against the bar.

"What can I get you guys?" The bartender asked.

Walt looked at the ladies and Shocket and Linda both smiled and looked at him. "Flaming Zombies!" The three said together and started laughing.

The bartender blinked at the odd request and what was obviously an inside joke but laughed along anyway. It was that kind of night. "You got it!"

Linda winked at Walt. "And no funny business this time slipping us a Micky Finn!"

Walt grinned and held his hands up in plain sight. "I apologized and promised not to do that again."

Shocket nodded but smirked. "Yeah... but we didn't. You might could end swallowing some payback some day!" She winked.

Walt laughed and nodded. "That's fair. If it's you two then bring it on anytime, as many times as it takes till yall are satisfied. I'll always be there for you two. I promise."

Linda smiled but Shocket looked down at the bar. "You do, huh? You said something like that before. You sure about that?"

Walt blinked and looked at her seriously. "Hey... look at me," he said and when she did he nodded patting her head. "I'm sure. It's a promise. Always."

His eyes looked so clear to her. They looked nothing alike but in that moment he resembled their adoptive father so much it made her heartache. She saw Linda smile at her peeking around Walt and she nodded. Her sister felt the same. She'd realized it longer. As usual. They were always waiting for one or the other to catchup or on. But that was what made them work well together. As partners, as sisters... but they'd been a broken fanily since their father died.

And then there was Walt. He'd tricked them but he'd been honest about it. Kind. Even caring and understanding. Treated them as equals when he hadn't had to. "Like... family."

Walt nodded. "Like family."

Shocket did too and she smiled. Not her usual smirk or cocky grin but shyly. "Alright," she said quietly.

Walt smiled too and gently pulled her close for a hug. "Alright," he repeated feeling her hesitate then relax and put her small arms around him. He gave her a gentle squeeze then held out his other arm to Linda.

Linda smiled her scarred beak and didn't hesitate. She'd made up her mind awhile ago. She embraced them repeating, "Alright. Family." She chuckled. "And that means we're going to Prime."

Walt blinked then smiled wider. "Yeah?"

Shocket nodded wiping at her eyes quickly pretending that she hadn't been crying. "Of course! You'd just get in trouble without us anyway!"

Linda nodded giggling. "You need someone watching your back Captain and making sure you don't mess things up with girls and they tear you apart!"

Walt grinned and shrugged. "Good point. I wouldn't want that! But I'll probably still get in all kinds of other trouble with you two there anyway! But continuing to be in trouble together would make me very happy!" The bartender had finished their drinks and served them up with impeccable timing and Walt tipped generously before raising his glass. "Let's keep this crew and family together!"

Linda and Shocket smiled and nodded as they all tapped their glasses together. "Together!" They extiguished the flames and drank deeply with gusto.

"Ahh! That's good," Linda said happily.

"Yup," Shocket agreed. "Oh and I guess I should say thanks for earlier. "

Walt raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome of course but I'm not sure what you're referring to."

Shocket lightly slapped his back. "For having our backs earlier." She sees his blank look and says,"You know... when you had Merida and my backs? You totally pointed out those guys on our flank."

"Oh yeah!" Linda nodded as Walt had a sinking feeling. "That must have been after you helped Mission and I too!"

Storm had joined them at the bar. "My thanks as well! Thank you for sending them to Mars to pick us up. We didn't have to miss out on the party after all and that was some impressive covering fire you gave to Thor and myself as well."

Walt smiled and nodded like he knew what they all were talking about. *Loki,* he thought wondering just how many places he had 'appeared' during the fray and hoping she hadn't over done it. "It was no big deal. Happy to help and happy you could be here. Do you have to head back soon?"

Ororo nodded but smiled. "Soon enough but there's something I wanted before I left." She held out her hand. "Care to dance?"

Walt took her hand and kissed it. "I would love to, 'Ro!"

Jubilee, Gwen and Jen walked over as Walt and Ororo hit the dance floor. The trio looked at Linda and Shocket waiting.

Linda smiled nodding and Shocket waved her hand saying, "Yeah, yeah... the team is staying together. Look let's not make a big deal- Oof!"

The trio were hugging them tightly, happily. Linda looked at her sister and Shocket rolled her eyes and sighed then hugged them back patting their heads while smiling too. "Yeah... Okay... watch the fur you nuts."

Linda chuckled. "Don't mind her!"

Jen laughed. "Yeah we know Linda. She's happy!"

Jubilee nodded. "And so are we! What an awesome day!"

Gwen nodded. "Awesome party too... except for the music. It's not bad but you'd think there'd be... I dunno... something more than just a DJ."

The bartender overheard and shrugged. "There was gonna be live music but they canceled last minute with all the craziness that went down. They couldn't get anyone last minute."

Gwen looked at him, then at Walt and smiled. "You don't say... I got an idea!"

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters Linda T Duck and Shocket Raccoon

Will Return In

Long Distance Calls, Top Dogs and Dancing

Coming Soon]